It’s no secret that prevention is the best medicine when it comes to your dental health. However, even with excellent hygiene and regular dental cleanings, people still develop cavities in surprisingly high numbers. In fact, more than 90% of people experience at least one cavity in their lifetime, though many of them treat their condition before restorative measures, such as tooth fillings, become necessary. For many patients, that early detection and treatment is made possible with the help of advanced DIAGNOdent technology, which highlights vulnerable spots in teeth before cavities have a chance to cause significant damage.
Understanding Cavity Development
Cavities are eroded portions of teeth that have developed because of tooth decay – an infection caused by harmful oral bacteria. At first, certain bacteria (found in plaque and tartar) convert nutrients like sugar into acids that weaken your tooth’s enamel. Before long, enamel can become to the point where miniscule holes develop, allowing oral bacteria to slip past it and infect the main tooth structure underneath.
The Benefits of Laser Cavity Detection
When cavities first develop, your dentist may be able to see the troubled area of your tooth during a routine dental examination. However, DIAGNOdent allows your dentist to see areas of weakened enamel even before they become visible to your dentist’s eye. DIAGNOdent involves the use of a specially calibrated diode laser to pinpoint demineralized areas of tooth enamel. This means you have a much better chance of ensuring that your teeth remain healthy and free of extensive cavities.
Why Early Detection Is Best
The thing about cavities is that they don’t stop progressing once they develop. The longer one is left untreated, the more extensive the decay will become and the larger the cavity will grow. If preventive measures fail to stop a cavity from developing, then treating it as early as possible is the best way minimize any potential damage to your healthy, natural tooth structure.
Improve Your Chances of Detecting Cavities
With the help of advanced DIAGNOdent, you have a much better chance at protecting your smile by detecting and treating a cavity in its earliest stages. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY today at 516-433-2211 or 516-921-1678.