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 Indian Trail 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) 684-0195 to find out more about tooth decay and prevention or to schedule your routine exam with our Indian Trail dental office today.
Reviews
This is the best dentist office EVER! I have always had such anxiety about going to the dentist and don’t have the best dental health either but everyone at this office was super friendly. There was zero judgement about what needed to be done. They formed a plan that i was comfortable with and it was done in a timely fashion that met my needs. They exceeded my expectations and gave me a new confidence that I did not have before. I would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who is looking for a trustworthy Dentist.
I am preganant and has my wisdom tooth coming in really bad! Due to the fact that I am preganant I couldn't take any strong medications nor they couldn't put me to sleep. This wisdom tooth was the worst pain I've ever experienced amd they did everything possible to make me feel comfortable and prepared to take this tooth out and they did in minutes never thought I would be so strong to take something like this but I did and thanks to Fresh Dental I didn't give up. I believe giving birth will be easy after this experience.
I would recomend this dental office to anyone that needs a dentist. Dr.Ganglani and his staff are the best. The whole staff is very nice and friendly, This is one time I don't mind going to the dentist. I wasn't nervous or scared like I have been in the past. I'm very pleased!
Dr. Johal is the best doctor ever, she was great with me and some members of my family and we all had good experiences and are very pleased with the services we have received. The entire staff is so helpful, welcoming, kind and friendly, the office is very clean. I would highly recommend Fresh Dental. Thank you
Always the best. Comfortable and fresh atmosphere and everyone there is always in good spirits. Dr. Ganglani and his team are always spot on and I definitely recommend them to everyone.
Very friendly, took my son in for the first time and he loves to go again. I would recommend this place for my family and friends. Thank you Fresh Dental in Indian Trail NC.
Dental services offered at Park Rd 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