Why Do I Keep Getting Cavities?

The adult patients we see from Wilmington who seem to have new decay in their teeth every time they come for a check-up will often express frustration over their inability to escape the need for fillings every six months. Frequently we will hear them say, “I brush my teeth two or three times a day and it just doesn’t seem to matter!” Of course, only the patient (YOU!) really knows whether that two-or-three-times-a-day brushing habit is for real, but what if it is? Why do bad cavities happen to good people? Sometimes the answer may be related to medications being taken that may dry the mouth, or, more rarely, to genetic defects in the teeth or saliva, but most of the time the answer is simple but insidious: DIET.

I’ve often heard people ask why or whether it matters that a dentist has a nice, modern office utilizing the latest technologies or a dated, low-tech facility that hasn’t had new furniture (or magazines) since the seventies. After all, can’t a dentist still do good work even in an older office? Of course the answer to that one is yes, BUT...  As I’ve said before, looking around at a practitioner’s office can tell you a lot about his or her attitude toward patient care. If the dentist isn’t investing in his or her infrastructure, you’ve really got to wonder whether he or she is “keeping up with the times” in terms of how dentistry is being done these days. New materials, techniques and capabilities are emerging in this field all the time. If your dentist is still doing a crown or a filling the same way he did it 25 years ago, shouldn’t you be wondering whether the care you are getting is not as good as it could be?

When looking for a new dental office, or even when contemplating whether to stay with your current office, many people are faced with the choice between the High Tech! office, and the Why Tech? office. Some practices will have invested in the equipment and training necessary to stay on the leading edge of dental techniques and materials, while others will have reasoned that what they’ve been doing for decades still works just fine. So how to make that choice if you’re the prospective patient?

Our Wilmington Dentist, Dr. Bruce Fay, explains that it is hardly news that many people nowadays are looking for ways to improve their smiles. One of the most affordable and least invasive ways is to whiten your teeth. But how? Most people are aware that many dentists are able to help them with whitening, but at a price that may not seem appealing. On the other hand, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) products that are intended for this purpose. So which is better? Is the dentist’s fee for this procedure worth it, or are OTCs worth anything at all? The answer may surprise you.

Many patients ask us- At what age should I begin bringing my child to the dentist? We recommend seeing your child for their first dental visit just after their third birthday. At that first visit to the dentist in our -Wilmington, Delaware- office, we will gently evaluate their teeth and gums. We will also do a light polish of their teeth as well, if the child allows. One of the most important things about that first visit is making it fun and building a positive relationship to avoid any "dental fear" when they get older. Then, we will review with you how to properly care for your child’s teeth at home, and answer any questions or concerns that you have. The first dental visit is key in ensuring your child’s oral health and as a building block for developing a life long relationship with the dentist.