What are dental cavities?
Dental cavities are cavitations done by bacteria that get into your tooth.
What causes cavities?
Cavities are caused by the acidic environment of your mouth. If you eat a lot of candy, drink sodas, or have food that is very mushy and stays on your teeth, the bacteria in your mouth will produce acid from the sugar you consume. These acids weaken the enamel, the outer layer of your tooth, and start producing the cavitation that we call cavities.
How does a dentist check for cavities?
By examination, a dental examination. You come in, we take an x-ray. Sometimes we can see cavities on the x-ray, sometimes we cannot, which is why we also use a scan with our Itero machine, and do a visual check. We have many tools to detect cavities.
What are the stages of a cavity?
The stages of a cavity start with the breaking down of the enamel, called incipient. Then the cavity goes deeper into your tooth, becoming acute, and then chronic, until it reaches the nerve.
Can a cavity spread to other teeth?
No, one cavity on your tooth is your cavity, it is not contagious. However, if your other teeth have the same bacteria as the affected tooth, they can also get cavities.
Is it possible for cavities to go away on their own?
No, unfortunately, cavities cannot go away on their own. Once the bacteria is on your tooth, the cavity will continue to grow unless it is very incipient and you are young and start flossing. But typically, once you have a cavity, it will continue to grow.
How can you stop a cavity from growing or progressing?
Good oral hygiene is essential. My recommendation is to floss your teeth. Every tooth you want to keep in your mouth, floss it. That is a good rule for you to follow.
How long do cavity fillings last?
It depends on your habits, but a filling can last anywhere from three years to ten years.
What should I do if I suspect I have a cavity?
If you suspect you have a cavity because you see it visually or feel some sensitivity, my recommendation is to come in for an examination so we can find out what it is.
I hope I answered all your questions. Give us a call at (954) 623-8252. Thank you.