Also known as dental caries, cavities are holes in teeth caused by tooth decay. They are common at all ages — in fact, around 90% of adults have had at least one cavity by age 20!1
The good news is that cavities are nearly 100% preventable. You can protect yourself from cavities with a good oral hygiene routine, regular dental exams, and a healthy diet that is low in sugar and other refined carbohydrates.
Cavities develop when harmful bacteria form plaque around your teeth which then digest the food we eat and forms acids that damage the tooth surface. Plaque does the most damage when it has frequent access to sugary foods, drinks, and other carbohydrates.
It is important to remove plaque from your teeth regularly to prevent acids from breaking down your tooth structure, creating cavities.
The type of cavity you have will depend on where it forms on your tooth, which can influence methods of prevention and treatment. Types of cavities include:
Cavities often have no visible symptoms in the early stages of development, but you may see a white spot on your tooth surface. As development progresses, you may notice small holes or pits in your teeth, tooth pain, or tooth sensitivity in response to various stimuli such as cold or hot.
Cavities are not all the same and some are more noticeable than others. Without a regular oral health routine, they can occur anywhere on your teeth — on the biting surfaces, between teeth, and at or below the gum line.
Your dentist will most likely notice early decay and cavities before you do, especially if the problem is located between your teeth, which may only be visible on an X-ray. This is one reason why regular checkups are so important. Small cavities are easier to treat, and in the early stages of decay, the process may even be reversed with early intervention.
Cavities develop over time and progress through five main stages:
Cavities develop slowly, and you can proactively prevent them by attending your regularly scheduled dentist appointments and maintaining a daily brushing and flossing routine.
If you are concerned that you have a cavity, then visit your dentist as soon as possible so they can diagnose the problem and discuss treatment options. Addressing the problem early will help you avoid advanced tooth decay, tooth abscesses, and tooth loss.
1Cavities. (2021, January 25) from https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/cavities/index.html