Have you ever heard the dentist tell you the dreaded news that you have a cavity? Cavities are one of the most common kinds of tooth problems many people visit the dentist for. By the time most Americans turn 35, they’ve had at least one cavity, and it’s not all that uncommon to have had more than one cavity, either. Cavities can affect people of all ages. They can affect children and cause problems with baby teeth, and they can affect adults. The good news, though, when it comes to cavities is that they are treatable by your dentist, though it’s always smart to do what you can to prevent a cavity from popping up in the first place.

What is a cavity?

The most basic definition of a cavity is tooth decay that causes permanent damage to tooth enamel and results in a small hole in the tooth. There are many types of cavities, however, and the type largely depends on where the cavity is on your tooth.

Smooth surface cavities, as the name implies, are cavities that develop on the smooth outer surfaces of your teeth. Pit and fissure cavities are cavities that develop on the areas of your teeth used for chewing—usually the top, slightly rougher surface of the tooth. Root cavities are cavities that develop in the roots of your teeth, often just below the gumline. 

What causes cavities?

Cavities are a form of tooth decay and are therefore caused by the same culprit that causes other types of tooth decay: bacteria. In combination with several different factors like poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of sugary foods or drinks, bacteria works against your tooth enamel to cause damage.

The bacteria that live in your mouth combine with the sugary foods you might eat to create acid, which sticks to plaque that forms on your teeth. This is why proper oral hygiene—including brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth, and getting regular dental cleanings—is so important. If you are properly removing the plaque from your teeth on a regular basis, the acidic substance from the bacteria in your mouth won’t have much to stick to on your teeth and will in turn not cause as many problems. 

If you do not maintain proper oral hygiene, however, the acid from the bacteria in your mouth will stick to the plaque on your teeth and build up over time, eventually dissolving tooth enamel and creating cavities or holes in your teeth.

In addition to bacteria in your mouth and sugary foods and drinks, there are some other risk factors for cavities that can sometimes be beyond your control. These include if you take certain medications like antidepressants or other medications that can cause dry mouth, a family history of cavities, previous radiation for cancer in the head or neck, and receding gums. 

What are the symptoms that come with a cavity?

If you think you might have a cavity that needs to be checked out by the dentist, there are several symptoms you might experience. The severity of these symptoms, of course, can depend on the severity of your cavity and what stage the cavity is in. Many people do not realize they have a cavity when it is small and first developing, for example. 

Some of the most common symptoms caused by cavities are a toothache that pops up seemingly out of the blue; new or unusual tooth sensitivity; pain when eating or drinking certain things (most notably sweet, hot, or cold food and drinks); visible holes or dark spots on the teeth; dark staining on the surface of a tooth (usually brown or black, but sometimes even white); or pain when you bite down for any reason.

What happens if a cavity goes untreated?

Because cavities are so common, they can sometimes seem like they’re not a big deal—especially when they aren’t causing you too much pain or discomfort. There can be some drastic and unpleasant side effects to leaving a cavity untreated, however, including increased pain, the development of a tooth abscess, pus and swelling around your tooth or teeth, damaged teeth, problems with chewing, and shifting of teeth.

If you ignore your cavity, you can experience pain that will start to interfere with your everyday life and activities, unhealthy weight loss or other nutritional problems due to pain and difficulty when eating, eventual tooth loss from the decay caused by an untreated cavity, and abscesses that can cause life-threatening systemic infections if they are not treated promptly.

While getting a cavity treated may sound inconvenient, expensive, or painful, leaving a cavity to continue to worsen can cause even further problems down the road and leave you with an unhappy smile.

What are the best ways to prevent cavities from forming in the first place?

When it comes to dentistry, the best treatment is prevention. To prevent cavities from developing in your teeth there are several steps you can take, including:

• Brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.

• Using a mouth wash or rinse that contains fluoride.

• Scheduling in your regular teeth cleanings at the dentist.

• Avoiding foods that are unhealthy for your teeth (like overly sugary drinks and foods that have a tendency to get stuck in between your teeth.)

• Drinking tap water that is treated with fluoride.

• Applying fluoride treatments (if recommended and approved by your dentist.)

• Using antibacterial mouthwashes or treatments (again, only if recommended and approved by your dentist.)

The most important thing you can do to ensure you don’t get frequent cavities and to prevent overall tooth decay is to prioritize taking care of your teeth! Establish a routine and stick to it—future you will be grateful for your dedication when that next trip to the dentist results in a clean oral bill of health!

If you think you might have a cavity or are overdue for your next dental cleaning, contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our dentists are experts when it comes to treating and preventing cavities and are more than happy to help you get on your way to a healthier smile.