We’ve all heard about cavities. It’s a word you hope you don’t hear during a visit to the dentist. But do you know what a cavity is? Do you know the causes of cavities? How do you prevent cavities?
At Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry, we’ve seen our share of cavities and filled quite a few. We can fix yours when you get them. We can also tell you how to prevent them.
What Is a Cavity?
Let’s start with the basics: What is a cavity? It is a hole in your tooth enamel, the hard, protective outer layer. That hole can penetrate down to the dentin, a thicker protective layer covering the pulp.
The pulp is the living tissue of the tooth, where the nerves and blood vessels reside. If a cavity penetrates down to the pulp, it can become incredibly painful and can lead to an infection.
What Causes a Cavity?
What bacteria causes cavities? Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the bacteria that most often causes cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria that break down the minerals in the enamel to penetrate the hard shell. The bacteria can be found in plaque — that sticky stuff that clings to your teeth. The dental plaque holds the bacteria against the teeth and allows them time to break down your teeth.
Without proper oral hygiene, the bacteria in your mouth eat away at the tooth until a hole is formed. This can happen on any surface of the tooth, even below the gum line! In fact, that same plaque can hold bacteria that can irritate the gums and cause gum disease.
Some people can be more susceptible to cavities, particularly if they’re on certain medications, wear braces that make it harder to brush, or are genetically prone to cavities because of thin enamel.
How Do I Know If I Have a Cavity?
You may not know you have a cavity, especially in the early stages of forming. Often, it’s not until it penetrates the nerves in the pulp that someone knows they have one. This is why it’s so important to visit your dentist regularly!
There are things you can watch for between dentist visits. Here are the most common symptoms of cavities.
- Black, brown, or white spots on your teeth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Pain in your tooth, especially when you bite down
- Toothache, either temporary or constant
- Pits or holes in the tooth
Is a Cavity Dangerous?
You may think cavities are no big deal, but left untreated, they can cause a lot of damage. If the bacteria make it to the blood vessels in the tooth, it can cause an infection. This can not only kill the living parts of the tooth, but it can also spread infection throughout your body.
Though it’s rare, that infection can be deadly. That’s why we say oral health is tied to overall health. If your mouth is unhealthy, chances are the rest of you will be, too!
More often, untreated cavities can kill the tooth. Eventually, this will cause the tooth to fall out. It will most likely mean having a root canal to get rid of the infection and save what’s left of the tooth.
The tooth must be pulled if it can’t be saved with a root canal. The hole must then be filled with a false tooth from a dental implant or a bridge. Either way, it can be costly. That’s why it’s so important to take care of cavities as soon as possible.
How Do I Prevent Cavities?
For most of us, it’s easy to prevent tooth decay and prevent cavities. Brush and floss every day! You should floss at least once a day before brushing your teeth so the toothbrush will take the debris off your teeth.
Brush at least two minutes a day, twice a day, using fluoride toothpaste. Don’t eat or drink for at least half an hour afterward to give the fluoride time to react chemically with your saliva and penetrate the enamel. Good dental hygiene strengthens your enamel and prevents tooth loss.
Rinse with fluoride mouthwash for extra protection. As with the toothpaste, wait at least half an hour afterward to eat or drink. You also want to wait half an hour after brushing to let that fluoride work before you add fluoride from the mouthwash.
You can also ask us about fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel, especially if you have a condition that will lead to more tooth decay, such as dry mouth from medication. We have dental sealants that can offer extra protection.
When Should I Call My Dentist About Cavities?
We recommend you visit the dentist at least twice yearly for a regular checkup and deep cleaning. Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry will thoroughly examine your teeth during your general dentistry visit. Often, we will spot the cavities before you will.
If a cavity forms between visits, call us and let us know! The sooner we fix the cavity, the better the chances you will keep your tooth.
Filling Cavities in Fayetteville, AR
You may think you have time to treat a cavity, but it can go from a dark spot on your tooth to damaging the living part of the tooth in 3-6 months.
If you recognize the symptoms of a cavity in Fayetteville, AR, schedule an appointment with Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry. We can fix your cavity and recommend ways to prevent further cavities.
