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Whats the deal with cavities?

Studies have shown that one in five Australians has untreated cavities, which is decay that has damaged a tooth’s hard, outer enamel layer and created small holes. Cavities can arise in people of all ages, including children and infants. Factors can include how well you take care of your teeth each day, what foods and beverages you regularly consume, and your family’s dental history. These can all play a role in developing cavities.Dry mouth, or insufficient saliva production, is a common oral condition that places you at higher risk of cavity formation and is often accompanied by bad breath. Tobacco and alcohol users are prone to dry mouth as are those taking certain medications, aging, or undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.Cavities form when sugary, starchy foods feed the oral bacteria that thrive in the sticky bacterial film you know as plaque. The bacteria produce acids that wear down the tooth enamel until they reach the softer dentin layer underneath protecting the tooth pulp. Cavities tend to form in the back of the mouth within the grooves of the molars, between the teeth and around the gum line, which are also areas that are harder to clean and get rid of plaque.

Signs You May Have a Cavity:– Experience tenderness in the gums– Tooth sensitivity when consuming hot or cold items– Painful sensitivity in or around your teeth– Having tooth pain that interferes with your sleep– Dark stains– Small holes– Pain when you bite down– Soft areas on your teeth

What You Can Do

The good news is, preventing cavities is very simple if you follow some of these basic rules:
– Limit your intake of sweets and sodas and clean your mouth immediately after consuming them.
– Brush at least twice a day with a Fluoridated toothpaste

– Floss at least once daily

– Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash

– See your dentist for routine dental cleanings at least twice a year– If you are cavity-prone, use products with fluoride that protect tooth enamel or consider having dental sealants placed.

Detecting cavities in the earliest stage – when they can be treated easily and with less invasion – can save you pain, time and money. For example, areas of early decay that is not cavitated can be sealed with a fissure sealant, which will prevent the bacteria from continuing to decay the tooth and cavitating it, and cavities found early on can be treated with a simple dental filling. For bigger or deeper cavities, a root canal treatment may be necessary to remove damaged pulp or treat an abscessed tooth. A badly broken tooth may be fixed with a crown at the gum line. If a tooth is lost, a dental bridge or implant may be needed to keep the surrounding teeth from shifting into the gap left behind.
The best way to prevent cavities is to take daily care of your pearly whites and to visit your dentist twice a year to support those daily efforts. To find out if you have any cavities or need to treat an existing one, please give our team a call on 95716667, and we will be happy to set up an exam with our skilled team. We look forward to helping you keep your smile healthy, beautiful and cavity-free!

What Our Patients Say

Sabrina Alday
Sabrina Alday
2023-08-23
Everyone in DentalCare Carnegie is 5-star! I live in the Northern suburbs but still willing to travel to Carnegie for a dental appointment. The dentists are all very competent but it’s the people at the reception and the dental assistants that are top notch. They are all very warm and accommodating. I had a wisdom teeth surgery with Dr Paul recently and it went really well. We were able to finish in about half an hour, and recovered pretty quick. I also appreciate that the clinic called to check on me the day after and give more after care instructions for a speedy recovery.
Scott Bertram
Scott Bertram
2023-08-22
Great friendly staff. Dr Dave is awesome. Surgery runs On time and notify you if there is a delay. So important in a time poor world.
Chris748
Chris748
2023-08-21
Filling fell out and next day it was fixed. Fabulous service, great dentist gentle and caring and explained everything
Jocelyn Vuong
Jocelyn Vuong
2023-08-21
Great friendly staff and so caring and gentle dentist. Glad I made the right choice in the beginning to pick this dental practice. Highly recommended 😘
Marilyn Joy Corpuz
Marilyn Joy Corpuz
2023-08-20
Saw Dr. Julie Sheng for toothache on my molar that’s been festering me. The team contacted me on the day of booking to understand how the toothache started and suggested to get previous records from my previous dentist in the cbd, which I like so they have my records/history going forward. Dr. Julie explained the cause of my toothache whilst showing the xray of my teeth, gums and bones. She also provided the details of what are the next steps and asked me if I am happy to proceed with the root canal after she provided the estimated costs. I appreciate the transparency, explanation of details, and confirmation before proceeding with the treatment. Recommending the same clinic to my husband now.
Andrea Montilla
Andrea Montilla
2023-08-13
I always take my 2yr old to see Dr Sami as she is amazing with kids. Dr Dave is also very thorough, had my wisdom teeth removed with him. Highly recommended!
Mike Heng
Mike Heng
2023-08-13
Very friendly reception and dentist. Always has great experience with Dr Andrew.
Jacob Vilinsky
Jacob Vilinsky
2023-08-13
I have been seeing Dr Alex for almost ten years. He is the most incredibly caring and gentle dentist. I highly recommend this clinic to all people...the care given by the team is second to none.
Tom N.
Tom N.
2023-08-11
I've been going here for over 3-4 years for general checkups - Had my root canel done here and all going well. Wife and kid also go here. High level of standards of care and service. Always on time, friendly, and helpful. Well done to Reception team, Cam, Estelle and Dr Alex for making this clinic the gold standard of dental care.
Dinesh Hiralal Singapuri
Dinesh Hiralal Singapuri
2023-08-10
Strongly recommend anyone to visit Dentalcare Carnegie! The treatment was so amazing- felt relaxed & comfortable! Thank you Dr Julie Sheng

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