Everything You Need to Know About Cavities

Did you know that dental cavities are actually considered a kind of disease?

Although they are preventable, these cavities prove to be the most prevalent chronic disease in young children and adolescents. In fact, a staggering 9 out of every 10 adults have had at least one cavity in their lifetime.

With the amount of sugar in the average American diet, it's not surprising that cavities are so common. However, there are steps one can take to minimize their chances of getting a cavity and improve their overall oral health.

If you want to learn more about cavities and how to prevent them, you're going to want to read this.

We're outlining everything you need to know about how to treat cavities. From what exactly a cavity is to how cavities are most commonly treated. These are facts that each and every person should be well aware of.

Read on to discover more!

What Exactly Is a Cavity?

To put it simply, a cavity is a hole in your tooth.

This particular hole is created due to a kind of acid erosion left by the bacteria in your mouth. The acid that's created as a sort of waste product eats away at the tooth enamel, creating weak spots in the enamel itself and eventually, a cavity.

Let's use an example to illustrate this point:

When a food such a bread gets stuck in your teeth, the bacteria inside your mouth turns it into acid. This acid forms with bacteria, food debris, and saliva, and turns into plaque. This plaque forms to teeth and, thanks to the acid in the plaque, begins to form a hole in the tooth.

As a result, the nerves in your teeth become exposed which can cause pain to your tooth.

If left untreated, these cavities can grow bigger and deeper over time. This is why it's important to get cavities treated shortly after their initial development.

Who Do Cavities Affect?

The truth is, cavities affect all ages and all walks of life.

While most people think cavities only affect children, adults are also prone to cavities as they continue to get older. As people age, changes in their gums take place. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth and expose the roots of the teeth to plaque.

For those that regularly consume sugary or high carb foods, this new exposure can increase the likelihood of cavities.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Cavity?

If you're feeling any sort of tooth pain or sensitivity , it's possible that you might have a cavity.

This is especially after you eat or drink something that is sweet, hot or cold. And, for more serious cavities, you may find that you have a toothache that is concentrated on one specific tooth rather than a series of teeth.

If this pain persists over a couple days, you'll want to arrange an appointment to see your dentist.

From here, the dentist will probe your teeth, search for soft softs or use an X-ray to check between teeth.

How Are Cavities Treated?

Cavities are generally simple to treat with a visit to the dentist. However, the extent to the filling does vary based on how bad the cavity is.

To treat smaller cavities , the dentist will use a drill to remove the decayed area of the tooth. From here, they fill the hole with a filling made of safe materials such as silver, gold, porcelain or composite.

However, more extensive decay may require the use of crowns and root canal procedures. These procedures are often more time-consuming and painful.

For more serious cavities, a crown is used when the tooth is so decayed that not much of it is left. The dentist will remove the damaged portion and then fit the crown over the rest of the tooth.

A bad cavity can also result in a root canal. In this situation, the dentist removes the nerve of the tooth, blood vessels, and tissue in addition to the decayed area of the tooth. The root is then filled with a sealing material and a crown may be placed over the tooth.

What Is the Best Way to Prevent Cavities?

There are a number of things everyone can to do help minimize the risk of developing a cavity.

Be sure to brush with a fluoride toothpaste after each and every major meal. You're also going to want to ensure that you are effectively brushing your teeth every night before bed. This is the most important time of day to give your teeth a good brushing.

When it comes to technique, try brushing up and down in a circular motion. You will also want to gently brush your gums to help keep them healthy.

You will also want to floss once a day. This helps to remove any food or plaque that has become stuck between your teeth throughout the day. After flossing, flush your mouth with water and then brush your teeth.

When it comes to nutrition, try to minimize your intake of sweet and sugary drinks. These drinks are one of the most notorious factors responsible for cavities.

Last but not least, be sure to visit your dentist at least twice per year. This will help to keep your teeth healthy and ensure that any cavities are treated in a timely matter.

How to Treat Cavities

Are you looking to better your oral health and avoid another cavity?

Roughly 30% of Americans reported the condition of their mouth to be either fair or poor. With nearly a third of the country feeling dissatisfied with their oral health, it's important to understand how to best take care of our mouth and teeth.

In order to prevent cavities, it's best that we understand exactly what they are and how we can prevent them. From here, we can practice good oral health and hopefully steer clear of cavities in the future.

Understanding how to treat cavities is only the first step. Putting this information into action is the next and more important step you can take.

Are you looking to for more information on how you can better your oral health?

If so, be sure to visit our blog . We cover anything from how to green your dentalroutine to how to avoid dry mouth.