Q&A: Why Am I Experiencing Damage?

Are you trying to make sense of the different reasons you have had to come in to see us for restorative dentistry treatments? Perhaps you think to yourself that you take pretty good care of your smile, so why on earth would you ever need a dental crown? Maybe you take poor care of your smile but your spouse (who practices exceptional dental hygiene) has experienced more hygiene-related issues than you have. True, maintaining the health of your smile can seem a bit confusing. However, it can also make a lot of sense when you’ve got a solid foundation. Let’s explore.

Questions and Answers: Restorative Care

Question: If I take good care of my teeth, why might I still end up requiring restorative dentistry treatments?

Answer: There’s more than one way to experience damage to your oral structures. If you care for your smile with great dedication, you will probably not see us for hygiene-related issues (like cavities or infection). However, your teeth are still susceptible to accidental damage. Brushing and flossing will not protect you from a broken or dislodged tooth if a person or object makes powerful contact with your smile. Fortunately, we can repair the damage.

Question: Why do some people seem to have better luck avoiding the need for restorative dentistry treatments when it comes to dental hygiene?

Answer: Let’s say you miss brushing sessions but your smile remains quite healthy. Your spouse is very strict about brushing but she experiences tooth decay or gingivitis, while you don’t. Why the discrepancy? In a limited number of cases, some people are immune to developing cavities (a very small percentage, by the way). In others, factors like genetics, age, hormones, gender, and more play a role.

Question: If some people are immune to certain oral health issues – and accidents can happen – why care for our smiles?

Answer: It’s not a black-and-white situation. A patient immune to cavities is still susceptible to gingivitis, for instance. While it’s possible to accidentally break a tooth, it’s also possible to go through life without accidental oral health trauma. The best course of action is always to commit to preventive care, so you can keep your need for restorative dentistry to a minimum!