I am very thankful that I have been fortunate enough to find this Dentist Office. The entire staff are very pleasant and genuinely care about a good outcome regardless of your situation. You could not ask for better. Dr. Parker is great…😀 …
More than 92 percent of us will develop at least one cavity. Conservative estimates show that 70 percent or more of us will develop gum disease.
In the United States, more than 120 million people are missing at least one tooth, and 36 million people don’t have any natural teeth remaining, according to the American College of Prosthodontists.
Everyone wants to have a healthy smile, and most people make an effort to brush their teeth regularly, so why do those things happen so often? Well, brushing is a good start, but it takes more than that to prevent long-term oral health problems.
At the office of Dr. Charles Betts, we put a strong emphasis on preventive care for our patients in and around Decatur, AL. That includes many general dental services that we offer and a willingness to answer your questions about what you can do at home.
To learn more for yourself, call 256-274-8680 to schedule your next dental exam with us.
Fight For Your Teeth
You may not like it but your teeth are always under attack. The bacteria that cause tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease live in your mouth. They multiply daily, and they feed on particles of food that get caught in or stuck on your teeth.
To fight the problems we mentioned above (and the complications that can develop because of them), you need to make a consistent habit of removing bacteria, plaque, and tartar from your mouth.
Brushing (twice daily, two minutes at a time) is your first line of defense. When done correctly, it does remove a lot of bacteria and plaque before it can cause harm. At the same time, when you brush, you aren’t doing a good job of cleaning between your teeth. This is why using dental floss or another interdental cleaner daily should be part of your oral hygiene as well.
Even if you are doing those things, no one brushing and flosses perfectly every day. There is still an opportunity for plaque to build, harden into tartar, and cause infections and irritation. This is why regular dental checkups should be an essential part of your dental care as well.
By doing these things, you are much more likely to avoid big problems and to catch problems in the early stages, when treatments are easier and more effective.
Go Beyond The Basics
The steps we described above are the foundation of good oral hygiene habits, but you can do more. We offer additional services that make your teeth more resistant to decay.
Fluoride treatments can repair the demineralization that can occur when bacteria begins to attack the enamel of your teeth. As a mineral itself, fluoride can repair the tooth and make it stronger.
Dental sealants protection your smile in another way. Sealants are a coating that we can apply to your teeth. This becomes a physical barrier between your smile and the bacteria that would harm it.
Visit Us Soon
Whether you are a regular patient or haven’t been to the dentist in years, we welcome you to visit Dr. Betts’s office in Decatur. Call 256-274-8680 today or contact us online to take advantage of our general dental care.