Tooth Decay Prevention
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth decay is the most prevalent and preventable chronic disease in children and adults today. Tooth decay is typically symptomless until there’s already a cavity or a tooth abscess (an infection at the root of a tooth or in the gums), both of which can lead to pain and tooth loss if left untreated. That’s why at Fresh Dental, we make prevention of tooth decay your dental plan’s primary focus.

What Is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay occurs when the mouth’s naturally occurring, harmful bacteria combine with the sugars from food, producing acids. Over time, the acids eat away at your tooth’s enamel, causing tooth decay and eventually cavities or dental caries. Symptoms of tooth decay or a tooth abscess include:
- A toothache
- Swelling in the gums
- Bad breath/taste in the mouth
- Gray, brown, or black spots on your teeth
If you have a diet high in sugars and carbohydrates, drink from a water source that does not contain fluoride, or suffer from reduced salivary flow, you may be at risk for tooth decay. Young children are at higher risk for decay than are adults.
Preventing Tooth Decay
Successful preventive care requires good oral hygiene practices at home and routine visits to the dentist. At Fresh Dental, our Huntersville dentists Drs. Amit Ganglani, Joti Johal, and Richard Dunning understand that finding a dentist you have confidence in is key to maintaining a healthy smile, so we put extra effort and time into forming a long-term, trust-based relationship with all of our patients.
The following are steps you can take at home and during your routine dental visits to prevent tooth decay and improve your overall oral health:
- 1. Eat healthy foods that are low in sugar.
- 2. Brush and floss a minimum of two times each day.
- 3. Use a mouthwash or rinse regularly.
- 4. Schedule routine visits and cleanings.
- 5. Consider having regular fluoride treatments, especially if you don’t get fluoride in your drinking water.
- 6. Have dental sealants applied to your back teeth if they are free of fillings and decay; dental sealants are especially effective at protecting children’s teeth.
Treatment of Tooth Decay
If you have been diagnosed with tooth decay, the best course of treatment will depend on its severity. The following treatments are used once decay has eaten through tooth enamel:
- Filling: The decay is removed and Drs. Ganglani, Johal, and Dunning fill the hole with one of several materials, based on your preference, returning it to its natural form.
- Crown: If your tooth is severely damaged, a tooth-shaped cap is made to replace the damaged area.
- Root canal: If infection has reached the pulp of your tooth, Drs. Ganglani, Johal, and Dunning will remove the infected area and replace damaged or missing parts of the affected tooth with a crown.
- Extraction: If the extent of the decay is severe, removal of the damaged tooth may be necessary.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is a tooth abscess?
A: A tooth abscess is an infection that occurs at the root of a tooth or between the tooth and gum as a result of severe tooth-decay trauma. Signs that you may have a tooth abscess include fever, tooth pain/sensitivity, bad breath, swollen glands, swelling in the gums or upper or lower jaw, and open sores.
Q: Is tooth pain a sign of tooth decay?
A: Tooth pain can be a sign of tooth decay or other oral health issues. If you are experiencing tooth pain, you should contact our provider and have it diagnosed immediately.
Q: What at-home teeth-cleaning products are the best?
A: Tooth extraction may become necessary in severe cases of tooth decay. Extraction will only be considered after every possible avenue that preserves the tooth is exhausted.
Q: Is tooth extraction necessary if you have tooth decay?
A: Tooth extraction may become necessary in severe cases of tooth decay. Extraction will only be considered after every possible avenue that preserves the tooth is exhausted.
Call (704) 997-5110 to find out more about tooth decay and prevention or to schedule your routine exam with our Huntersville dental office today.
Reviews
I recently has a procedure to replace a crown. The dentist and hygienist at Fresh Dental were professional and efficient and reassuring at every turn throughout. They made a procedure that I was dreading very smooth and easy. Thank you!
Can we talk about the customer service in this place!!! AMAZING. Everyone is beyond friendly!! The whole office was just radiating with wonderful vibes. I’m not a fan of the dentist, but the staff here made me feel at ease, every step of the way. I’ll be telling everyone I know to go to Fresh Dental Huntersville, what a great experience!
Dr Ganglani was great! He did some fillings and a crown for me. He was very personable and catered to my needs during the procedure. He explained what he was doing and why without me even having to ask. Great dentist!
I am absolutely blown away with the level of service they provided!! Excellent attention to detail and they made me feel like family. I highly recommend Fresh Dental Huntersville. If you have been putting off seeing the dentist ....Fresh Dental Huntersville will be a pleasant experience.
Just super good, Dr. Sameer Kashyap has Angel's hands, super gently touch while he fix your teeth. I came here following him from his previous office. The hygienist, super great job dealing wirh my extra sensitive gums, she is also very nice, great personality. 5 stars in my book.
The staff and doctors are awesome! They made my experience a great one.
Dental Services Offered at Huntersville NC FRESHDental
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Implants
- Dentures
- Digital X-rays
- Emergency Dental Services
- Family Dentist
- Fixed and Removeable Bridges
- Fluoride Treatment
- General Dentistry
- Gum Disease Treatment
- Hygiene Services
- Inlays and Onlays
- Invisalign
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Orthodontics
- Porcelain Veneers
- Professional Teeth Cleanings
- Root Canals
- Sealants
- Smile Design Treatment
- Teeth Whitening
- Tooth Decay Prevention
- Tooth Extractions
- Tooth Fillings
- Wisdom Teeth Removal