General Dentistry in Allentown

Typically, a routine visit includes a dental exam and a professional dental cleaning. The dentist will check your teeth and make a note in your records if there are any changes. We’ll go over the findings of the exam and explain which treatments, if any, are needed to bring your smile back to a state of health. During the cleaning, a hygienist will remove stubborn plaque and tartar deposits from your teeth and then gently polish them to a shine. We will also provide you with tailored oral hygiene advice and product recommendations that can make it easier for you to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Tooth decay is caused by a specific and common type of bacteria that lives in peoples’ mouths. The bacteria grow in colonies of dental plaque, which is why it’s important to thoroughly brush and floss away that plaque daily. When plaque bacteria is left on tooth surfaces for too long, the acid produced by the bacteria eats away at tooth enamel and this is what causes cavities. Cavity-causing bacteria feed on the sweet carbohydrates that you eat, so leftover food particles that get stuck on teeth can fuel the bacteria and hasten the development of cavities. A diet high in acidic foods and drinks can also weaken teeth, making them more susceptible to decay.

Diet and oral hygiene habits play the biggest role in determining the risk of tooth decay. Some people are prone to cavities because they eat a diet high in simple carbohydrates and/or sugary beverages. Others are prone because they don’t brush and floss every day. Additionally, cavities are contagious. Once someone has one cavity in their mouth, the chances are high that a neighboring tooth will also develop decay. Some people are susceptible to decay because their teeth have been weakened by decay, wear, or acid erosion. In some rare instances, people can be born with a congenital condition that results in thin tooth enamel. For the most part, anyone can reduce their risk of dental decay by practicing good oral hygiene, limiting sweet carbohydrates, and visiting the dentist regularly.

Not all cavities hurt. In fact, most cavities don’t hurt at all until they have advanced deep into the tooth enamel. A lack of pain doesn’t mean you don’t have to treat it, however. Whether or not a cavity hurts, it should be treated quickly to prevent it from spreading to the point that you need more invasive and expensive treatment.

The best method for treating tooth decay depends mainly on how far the decay has advanced. If you have a tiny spot where a cavity is just beginning, then it’s possible (ideal, even) to reverse the decay by changing your diet and improving your oral hygiene. For example, we might recommend a professional fluoride application to help strengthen compromised enamel. Fluoride is a mineral that reinforces tooth enamel and it can help you keep your teeth strong so that they don’t need treatment. But if the decay has taken root, then you may need a small filling to stop the rot. If your tooth has developed a large cavity, then it may need to be restored with a crown. A root canal is necessary if the cavity has reached the nerve of your tooth or triggered a dental abscess. And if it looks like your tooth is too far gone, then you may need to consider having it replaced with a restoration such as an implant or dental bridge.

Yes, it’s actually perfectly safe to have dental treatment while pregnant. Our team is trained in techniques to keep you safe and comfortable during your appointment with us. Of course, if there are treatments that you need or want but that are not urgent, then we will recommend that you postpone them until after the baby arrives. Urgent procedures to provide pain relief or to prevent an infection, however, can still be done during pregnancy with certain precautions in place. We actually recommend that you come in for a couple of cleanings and checkups during your pregnancy so that we can help you manage oral discomfort, prevent future dental issues, and minimize some of the dental symptoms that often accompany pregnancy.