Cavities: What Are They, How They Emerge, and All You Need to Know

Tooth decay and cavities are two of the most prevalent health issues in the world—and one of the easiest ones to prevent. By maintaining good oral hygiene, eating healthy foods, and visiting the dentist in Kendall Green, you can say goodbye to tooth decay and all the negative outcomes it brings.

However, many of our patients fail to commit to these habits—partly because the long-term consequences of cavities are easily overlooked. We created this guide to help you understand tooth decay in detail and prevent it.

What Are Cavities?

Cavities are damaged patches in your teeth’s hard surface that happen when oral acids erode the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer layer. These tooth-decayed areas develop into microscopic holes or openings that can cause severe toothaches, infections, and tooth loss.

Several factors, such as oral bacteria, frequent snacking, consumption of sugary beverages, and poor tooth hygiene, can cause cavities. Without treatment, cavities enlarge and spread to deeper tooth layers.

Sadly, they’re highly common. 1 in 5 adults aged 20 to 64 years have at least one untreated cavity, affecting their quality of life and putting their oral health at risk in the long run.

Types of Cavities

Cavities can emerge on any tooth surface and become the site of a cavity. Depending on its site, the bacteria involved, and its size, cavities can be classified into:

• Smooth Surface: These slow-growing cavities progressively dissolve your tooth enamel. They’re commonly found between teeth, and people in their 20s are prone to them.
• Pit and Fissure Decay: These cavities develop on the upper portion of the chewing surface of your tooth. This type of decay may also affect the front side of your back teeth. Pit and fissure decay usually begins in adolescence and advances rapidly.
• Root Decay: Root decay is more common in adults with receding gums. Gum recession exposes the roots of your teeth to acid and plaque from the mouth, leaving it sensible to your mouth’s bacteria.

Symptoms of Cavities to Pay Attention to

When tooth decay occurs, it is crucial to identify it promptly and get prompt treatment. Otherwise, the infection will continue to grow, reaching your dental pulp, damaging the foundation of your tooth, and even leading to tooth loss.

Some key factors that indicate there’s a cavity include:

• Toothache and sensitivity
• A slight to severe ache when consuming hot or cold, sweet foods or beverages
• Noticeable pits or holes in your teeth
• White, black, or brown discoloration on any tooth surface
• Pain when you bite down

The Long-Term Consequences of Untreated Tooth Decay

Besides affecting individual teeth, tooth decay can jeopardize the health of your entire mouth. Cavities can lead to gum disease, a serious disease where the gums become infected with bacteria from tooth decay.

Inflammation brought on by gum disease can eventually cause tooth loss as the supporting bone weakens. Your smile, speech, and chewing could suffer from tooth loss, significantly lowering your quality of life.

Prevent Cavities with a Dentist in Kendall Green

When it comes to ensuring your oral health, preventing issues from happening is much more effective than treating them afterward. Therefore, the best defenses against cavities are routine dental checkups and proper brushing and flossing practices.

If there is any decay, we’ll identify it promptly at Park Plaza Dental and remove it before it can cause further damage. If you’re due for a dental checkup, contact us today!