Cavities are decayed parts of your tooth's surface that start as tiny holes. Also known as tooth decay, cavities are created when bacteria within your mouth begin to harden on your tooth's surface.
Bacteria can be introduced through sugary and acidic drinks, frequent snacking, and poor oral hygiene. When these ingredients are not cleared from the teeth, the residue or plaque is like acid to your tooth enamel.
Cavities and tooth decay are common oral health issues, especially among children, teenagers, and older adults. However, anyone can get cavities, even the most diligent brushers.
If left untreated, cavities will grow larger and affect the inner layers of your tooth. Once the decay affects the inner part, you may experience terrible tooth pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
The good news is that it's easy to keep clear of this tooth malady through routine visits to Dr. Matthew Milana, your Phoenix, AZ dentist.
Do You Have a Cavity?
Symptoms of cavities can be different for each person, along with other variables. There are no symptoms for many patients, especially early on. As the cavity gets more significant, patients may experience the following:
- Tooth pain—sudden, stabbing toothaches that come out of nowhere
- Sudden sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Pain while eating or biting down
- Visible holes in your teeth
- Sudden discoloration of the tooth
It is always best to treat minor cavities before they pose a risk to your tooth. A large cavity can cause the tooth to crumble. And, in some cases, a tooth-colored filling will not be enough to restore it. You may need a dental crown instead without timely intervention from your dentist.
In severe cases, if the tooth crumbles to the gumline, you may even need extraction followed by tooth replacement.
Because cavities don't have symptoms early on, you must visit your dentist regularly for checkups and teeth cleanings.
Why Do I Have Cavities?
Cavities can happen at any time, but common reasons they occur include:
- Location of tooth
- Frequent snacking, especially foods that form a film like ice cream, milk, sugar, cake, soda, cookies, mints, chips, and more
- Frequent snacking or drinking of sodas
- Poor oral hygiene
- Not enough fluoride
- Youth or as we age
- Dry mouth
- Tobacco use
- Medications
- Dental prosthetics
- Heartburn or reflux
- Eating disorders
- Lack of dental care
Multiple factors contribute to tooth decay in many cases, so it is always best to adopt healthy habits.
Not treating your cavity can cause a lot of pain and can lead to tooth loss.
Treating Cavities in Arcadia, AZ
To treat tooth decay, your dentist numbs the area and clears the decay from your tooth. For small cavities, we close with a tooth-colored filling. But larger cavities may require a dental crown.
A tooth crown is a cap that fits over your tooth. It is shaped and colored to match your teeth. The crown creates a safe space between your chewing action and the treated tooth beneath.
Your dentist will talk to you about tooth replacement for severe cavities, where the tooth has broken low or beneath the gum.
Our dental office offers a variety of options for tooth replacement, including the dental bridge or dental implant in Arcadia.
A bridge is one or two artificial teeth situated between crowns. The crowns fit over healthy teeth so the bridge teeth can complete your smile. A dental implant is a total tooth replacement—root and crown.
Lowering Your Risks for Tooth Decay and Other Issues
Twice-yearly checkups and teeth cleanings are always your best defense against cavities, oral infections, and gum disease. However, regular dental care should include excellent brushing and flossing habits.
At your checkup, your dentist can spot cavities early before you show symptoms, which pose a risk to the tooth. This is because your teeth cleaning rids your enamel and gums of plaque and tartar, the two ingredients that cause decay.
We also recommend quitting smoking and adopting a healthy diet low in sugary and acidic snacks and drinks. Your dentist may discuss a dental sealant if you're prone to cavities. This treatment locks debris away from dental enamel, making it difficult for plaque to form.
Contact Your Arcadia Dentist to Arrange a Dental Checkup Today
Give your Arcadia, AZ, preventive dentist a call today to schedule your dental cleaning and exam.
Living with damaged or decayed teeth can lead to abscesses, pus around the tooth, and other unappealing dental health situations. We all deserve to enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile. The great thing is it's not hard to achieve excellent oral health!