All About Cavities – Prevention and Treatment

Inside your mouth are millions of bacteria. Many of them are healthy and good for your overall oral wellness. Yet others build up into a sticky film that coats your teeth and is called plaque. Plaque is the destructive force that creates cavities.

The Making of a Cavity
When we eat and drink, the bacteria in our mouths create acids that seep under plaque and eat away at the protective layer of our teeth. The acid destroys minerals from a tooth’s enamel and decay begins. When the enamel is broken down the decay can penetrate the dentin (the core substance of a tooth) and start destroying the sensitive nerve fibers inside.

Signs of a Cavity

  • Abnormal white spots on a tooth
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold
  •  Dull throbbing in the affected area
  • Tooth pain

Other Destructive Effects of a Cavity
Complications from uncontrolled decay can destroy a tooth completely. When the decay spreads to the root of a tooth an infection may occur becoming what is called an abscess. An abscess can spread its infection throughout the body and cause serious (sometimes life threatening) health conditions in other areas of the body. In severe cases an infection that seeps into the blood stream can manifest in the brain or pulmonary (heart) system. Plaque that forms near the gum line can also cause gum disease.

Treating a Cavity                                                                 
Depending on the stage of the cavity there are various treatments to either reverse the effects or stop it completely.

Early stages of a cavity are typically painless and may need fluoride or other simple, non-invasive treatments to help the tooth remineralize and heal itself. Teeth can also be sealed to help prevent more cavities if a person is somehow more prone to getting them.

If there are breaks in the enamel a dentist will have to repair the damage with a filling. A drill or laser may be used, the decay is removed and the tooth is filled.

If the nerve or root pulp is infected and the outside of the tooth can be saved, the dentist will perform root canal treatment. The pulp will be removed and replaced with an inert material. In most cases a crown will be needed to cap the tooth. A complete extraction (removal) of the tooth may be needed in situations where too much of the tooth is destroyed and cannot be salvaged.

Preventing Cavities
Cavity prevention is relatively easy and does not require a large time commitment. It needs to be done both at home by the individual and with professional cleaning in the dentist’s office.

  • Brush twice a day for the recommended two minutes.
  • Floss twice a day. It can be done right before or after brushing.
  • Chew sugarless gum with xylitol. Xylitol does not create the harmful acid that sugar does and has shown cavity fighting properties. Sugarless gum also acts like a floss, getting food out of the spaces in between teeth.
  • Rinse your mouth with water after every meal. This can be done nearly anywhere and anytime to help stimulate saliva flow and swish away many stubborn food particles.
  • Make regular dental appointments every six months. A professional cleaning by a hygienist keeps plaque at bay. X-rays and an examination by a dentist can catch cavities early.

Source: Colgate

More Posts

Breaking Down Burning Mouth Syndrome

What You Need to Know About This Painful Problem Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a painful and often frustrating condition. Some patients compare it to having burned their mouth with hot coffee. The burning sensation may affect the tongue, the roof of the mouth, the gums, the inside of the

Do You Keep Making Excuses to Not Floss Your Teeth?

Learn the 8 most common excuses and what you can do to solve each one Do you floss? Or, like many people, do you always seem to find a reason not to? A national survey found that only 41% of Americans floss daily, and 20% never floss. That’s most unfortunate,

All Dental Fillings Are Not Created Equal

A Guide to Options in Tooth Filling Materials Most of us know that when you visit your dental office with a cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then “fill” the area on the tooth where the decayed material was removed. Fillings are also used to

emergency dentist roseville

Find a Trusted Emergency Dentist in Roseville, MN

When a dental emergency strikes, every minute matters. Knowing where to turn brings instant relief, whether you’ve chipped a tooth, lost a crown, or developed sudden, severe pain. If you need an emergency dentist in Roseville, contact the caring professionals at Personal Care Dentistry. With decades of combined experience, Dr.

Schedule an Appointment

Fill out the form below and will be in touch with you soon!

*All fields are required for a successful submission.