“Brush your teeth—you don’t want to get cavities.” How many times have we heard that phrase growing up? For many, the answer is too many to count. And the repetition seems warranted: dental cavities are highly common. In fact, the majority of Americans experience at least one cavity by their mid-30s. But what are cavities? What can be done about them? Can they be prevented?
Dental cavities are holes in the enamel of a tooth. Also referred to as tooth decay, cavities can affect anyone with at least one tooth, including infants, though they are most common in children, teens, and the elderly.
What Causes a Cavity?
Dental cavities are caused by the buildup of plaque, a sticky but clear film of bacteria that coats the teeth. Throughout the day, bacteria feed on sugars that haven’t been brushed off the teeth. If left unchecked, plaque will eat away at the teeth as well, leaving holes. Consequently, poor brushing and flossing are the chief cause of dental cavities. Diets heavy in sticky or sugary foods contribute to plaque buildup and therefore cavities.
On the other end of the spectrum, acids can also wear holes in the teeth. Acidic food and drinks can damage enamel, as can eating disorders that involve the frequent passage of vomit past the teeth and conditions like acid reflux.
Kinds of Cavities
Cavities can form in the outer layer of tooth enamel, in the middle layer (the dentin), and the internal layer (the pulp). Smooth surface cavities describe the slow-growing dissolution of enamel, pit and fissure decay cavities develop in the crowns of teeth, and root decay is the most serious.
Symptoms
Dental cavities are tricky little problems. Holes in enamel are not always visible, especially when they are tucked in nooks and crannies or embedded in tooth roots. Once the problem progresses, however, other symptoms may arise:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Toothache
- Spontaneous pain in the teeth
- Tooth pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold
- Black, brown, or white staining on the tooth surface
- Pain when you bite down
- Halitosis
- Bleeding gums or gum disease
Can You Get Rid of Cavities?
If even small cavities go untreated, they will only grow. The problem can also worsen, leading to infection, toothache, and sometimes even tooth loss. Cavities must be filled or crowned in order to protect the remaining tooth from further damage. Cavity filling is best handled as early as possible to halt further decay. Fortunately, a dentist can usually take care of cavities in under an hour.
If cavity damage is so severe that the root of the tooth dies, a root canal is required. Your dentist removes the nerves, tissues, and the decayed tooth remains and fills the root space with sealant. A cavity cannot heal itself. Dental cavities are permanent.
How to Prevent Cavities
Prevention is the best medicine. The best way to protect your teeth is to take excellent care of them before cavities can take hold. First things first: brush frequently and thoroughly. Cavities are most common in the back molars, which are harder to reach while brushing and have contours that can hide bacterial growth. Be very thorough when brushing and make sure to floss to clean the places a toothbrush won’t reach.
Regular dental care also goes a long way toward preventing cavities. Bianual visits to the dentist make sure that the growth conditions of cavities are caught before they become a problem. Visits to the dentist also ensure that your teeth are regularly receiving a healthy coating of fluoride. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.
Even before it’s time to brush your teeth (at least twice a day, remember), you can protect your teeth by what you eat and drink. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating tooth-healthy foods. This excludes very sticky, sugary, or acidic foods and includes fresh fruits and veggies for healthy saliva flow. Replacing soda with water has two benefits: you limit the volume of tooth-eating acid washing over your teeth, and water is excellent at washing away the bugs that eat away at enamel.
Cavity Care in Riverton, Utah
At Covington Dental Arts, we want to help your teeth shine. In addition to our more cosmetic dental procedures, we offer regular cleaning and filling services. We have a pediatric focus when it comes to the prevention of dental cavities. We know that kiddos can have a harder time taking care of their teeth, but we are here to help you and your family have the healthy teeth you desire.
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