Cavities: How You Get Them and How to Prevent Them

You may have heard your dentists warning you against cavities. They are one of the most common dental ailments that plague people of all ages. Without the proper dental care and maintenance, you could get cavities at any time.

But what are cavities, and how do you get rid of them? In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about cavities and how to get rid of them.

What Are Cavities?

Dental cavities form thanks to accumulated acid in the mouth that erodes your tooth enamel, the outer layer of your teeth. It causes holes to appear, and if left untreated, it could be the cause of toothaches, infection, and tooth extractions.

Anyone can get cavities, even adults. In fact, adults are more likely to have receding gums, which exposes lower parts of your teeth to cavity-causing plaque.

There are many types of cavities, which are the following:

Smooth Surface Cavities

Smooth surface cavities are slow-growing and dissolve tooth enamel. You can easily prevent it just with typical tooth care like brushing your teeth and flossing. This commonly occurs among people in their 20s.

Pit and Fissure Decay

This type of cavity occurs in the top part of the tooth’s chewing surface. It can even cause decay in the front side of your back teeth. It commonly occurs in people who are in their teens, and it spreads fairly quickly.

Root Decay

Root decay often occurs in older adults who have receding gums. Because of gum recession, their teeth become more exposed to plaque and acid, making cavities grow all the more. This type of cavity is difficult to prevent and even harder to treat.

What Causes Cavities?

Cavities can be caused by a number of things, but specifically can be caused by acids in the mouth. Some bacteria you get from consuming sugary and starchy foods can become acids. Food like candy, bread, sodas, juice, and even fruit can all become acid in your mouth.

After they become acids, they combine with your saliva and other bacteria in your mouth to form plaque, coating your teeth. If you don’t regularly brush your teeth or floss, it could dissolve your tooth enamel, creating holes in them.

How to Treat Cavities

Most cavities are treatable and largely preventable. Some treatment methods will depend on the severity of the tooth decay, but here are some examples:

Fluoride

This treatment is for decay that is caught early. If you are lucky, these fluoride treatments can patch up your tooth enamel in a pinch, thanks to the process of remineralization. Your dentist will prescribe a toothpaste and mouthwash to use alongside your treatment.

Fillings

Sometimes, to cover the gaps in your teeth, fillings will have to be inserted into your cavities. A dentist will drill out the decayed material and replace it with silver amalgams.

Root Canal

If you are feeling pain from root decay, then you might benefit from a root canal. There are dental experts that specialize in treating the root, and they will remove the pulp of nerve endings that make your root hurt.

If this is not possible, then your dentist might recommend tooth extraction and a dental implant.

Conclusion

With the right steps for prevention, you can easily prevent cavities from growing in your mouth and decaying your teeth. If you believe that you might have cavities, then it is always a good idea to visit a dental expert for a professional opinion.

For the health of your teeth, you can only trust Dental House MI. We offer affordable dentistry services to keep your teeth shiny, healthy, and happy. We provide cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, oral surgery, and more. Get in touch with us today to learn more.