Cavities are holes in your teeth that form as a result of tooth decay. This is caused when acids in your mouth (bacteria) wear away the enamel on your teeth. This happens to many people. If you visit the dentist regularly, though, the dentist can prevent most cavities from forming or even reverse those that have already started.
People get cavities when the acid in their mouths breaks down the hard outer layer of their teeth. Cavities form when the tiny teeth-growing tubes (dental pulp) inside the tooth are damaged. Cavities are also known as holes or decay.
Types of Cavities
Some of us notice a little pain when eating something cold or taking a sip of ice water. But don’t ignore it! That little twinge can also signal one of our least favorite things: a cavity.
Cavities are the bane of most people’s existence. They can never be avoided, no matter how hard you try to avoid them. Studies show that 90% of adults have at least one cavity. As soon as you suspect you might have one, it’s important to visit your dentist. The most common cavity is a simple filling, whereas the most extreme is a dental implant. To learn about the three types of cavities and how they’re treated, read on.
1. Smooth Surface Cavities
You may think that cavities only appear in your front teeth, but they can also appear on the sides. You can’t avoid all types of food all the time, so brush and floss your teeth twice a day to remove that sticky gunk from in between your teeth.
2. Pit and Fissure Cavities
Are your teeth pearly white? Can you smile to be modest about it? I hope so. That’s because the daily brushing of your teeth is working to keep them in tip-top shape. But you might be surprised by what’s actually happening inside your mouth when you brush. You see, that tasty food you eat is being broken down into particles and this process requires a lot of chewing, which means it leaves lots of residue on the surfaces of your teeth!
3. Root Cavities
Tooth decay that occurs at the root of the tooth is especially dangerous because the rest of the tooth depends on it to stay healthy. It’s also common for teeth to lack enamel in this area, so cavities can grow more quickly. You can slow down the process by brushing gently at least three times a day and drinking plenty of water.
Signs Of Cavities
Most tooth decay on the outer enamel surface doesn’t cause pain or symptoms. If you experience symptoms, it’s usually because the pain is caused by decay that has progressed into the dentin and root. Possible signs of cavities include:
- Flow of blood or bleeding gums or other symbols of gum disease.
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods or drinks.
- Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
- Facial swelling.
- Redness around or inside the mouth.
- Toothache or mouth pain.
How Cavities Diagnosed?
You should come in twice a year for check-ups. Your dentist will look for cavities with a variety of instruments. Cavities are soft spots that feel different than the surrounding tooth when your dentist probes them. You may also get X-rays, which show cavities before they’re visible on the tooth surface.
How Cavities Managed Or Treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of tooth decay. Cavity treatments include:
Fillings: When a tooth cavity is drilled, the decayed material is removed and replaced by filling. Dentists can fill a hole in your tooth with silver amalgam, composite resin, or gold.
Fluoride: To prevent cavities, watch for signs of tooth decay, such as sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks. If you catch decay early, your dentist may be able to repair the damage with fluoride treatments. This process is called remineralization. Your dentist may recommend that you use prescription toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as continue with fluoride treatments at the dental office.
Tooth Extraction: When a root canal isn’t an option, your healthcare provider might pull (extract) the tooth. It’s possible that you’ll need a dental implant to replace the permanent tooth. Implants keep teeth from shifting and changing your bite and appearance.
Root Canal: To treat pain caused by root decay, a dentist will usually perform a small surgery known as a root canal. During this procedure, the endodontist, or dentist who specializes in treating problems that affect the tooth’s roots, will remove the nerves and pulp in the tooth’s center to stop the pain.
Cavity Vs Stain
A smile is often the first impression you give to other people. Brushing your teeth every day can help you keep your teeth clean and bright. You may become tense if you notice that your teeth are getting dull, which causes you to worry about what might be causing it. While it may be hard to tell whether you have a cavity or just a stain on your teeth, there are a few ways to determine the difference.
Stains
Teeth that aren’t properly clean can have cavities, a sticky substance that can make your teeth look darker. By contrast, stains can result from foods or drinks you consume; they’re caus by sugars and starches, which form plaque. With proper oral hygiene, you can avoid plaque buildup—and the extra-hard layer of tartar it leaves behind.
Cavity
Having cavities is different from having stains. Cavities make teeth sensitive or painful, while stains are just coloration on teeth. Having a toothache regularly is not acceptable and should be examined by a dentist. Tooth sensitivity can be caused by the presence of a cavity in the tooth. Pores can sometimes be found on a tooth’s surface when a dentist looks at it, but this is due to the presence of a cavity inside the tooth, which also needs immediate attention.
Bad breath and tooth decay are both caused by cavities. People with tooth decay often complain of a strange taste in their mouths, even when they eat their favorite foods or drink their preferred beverages. And they often say that they feel the rotten teeth while they smoke cigars. Cavities also cause bleeding in the gums, especially while fast brushing. The problem is caused by the nerve endings being irritated by infected teeth. Dentists recommend that you visit them to prevent the problem from getting worse. Otherwise, it will travel deep down the roots of your teeth, leaving you with larger problems in the future.
Cavity On Front Tooth
If a cavity forms in your front teeth, you may need a filling to restore the tooth’s strength and structure. Your dentist will remove decayed tooth tissue and fill the hole with material designed to withstand everyday use. To make your smile look its best, the filling may be tooth-colored composite resin. There is no reason to worry about how your smile looks if you need a front tooth filling. Cavities in back teeth usually cause discoloration that is less noticeable on front teeth.
Cavity In Between Teeth
One kind of cavity is called an interproximal cavity. This is a space between two teeth, typically at the gumline. If you’ve ever had a cavity, it’s likely that you’ve had an interproximal cavity. Cavities form in the same way as other cavities because enamel wears away on one or more teeth. If you catch an interproximal cavity early on, it can usually be reversed.
FAQs
What Does A Cavity Look Like?
Your teeth can develop cavities, which are dark spots caused by decay. They may start out looking like dark spots on the teeth or slight discolorations. Cavities progress until the holes get bigger and usually darker. Ideally, you can catch them early and stop them from getting worse.
What Does A Small Cavity Look Like?
Buried cavities that have gone unnoticed for a long time can become quite noticeable. You might see these dark or light brown spots on your teeth. These are caused by tooth decay, which has eaten away at the protective enamel coating of your teeth and is becoming somewhat visible to the naked eye. Cavities typically appear in between the teeth or on the top of your molars.
What Does A Cavity Look Like On A Tooth?
Cavities are among the most common and easiest dental problems to treat. Yet cavities are one of the most common types of dental problems patients experience. When cavities first form, they look like a dark spot on the tooth and may start out looking similar to tooth staining or discoloration. Cavities continue to grow and usually get darker in color as they progress.
What Does The Start Of A Cavity Look Like?
One indication of a cavity is a dark spot on your tooth, typically brown, yellow, or black. At first, it may resemble tooth staining or slight discoloration. As cavities progress, the holes get bigger and the color darkens. A little dab can, at last, consume practically the whole tooth.
What Does A Cavity Look Like On An X Ray?
An X-ray photograph of your teeth will show cavities as dark spots in the tooth. Cavities initially begin in the outer layer of your teeth (enamel) and then progressively affect the inner layer (dentin), which is softer than enamel. The presence of a cavity can be seen in an X-ray picture before being felt during an examination, which makes it an effective tool in diagnosing dental problems.
How To Know If You Have A Cavity?
Cavities are holes in your teeth that can be caused by plaque building up over time. A cavity is easiest to describe as a hole in your teeth that can be caused by plaque building up and hardening on your teeth over time. This hard substance that forms along the surface of your teeth is called calculus. Cavities cause holes or pits. Over time, these cavities can often get worse and become so deep that they affect the softer parts of your teeth, sometimes all the way to the root.
What Does A Cavity Feel Like?
If you feel pain while eating, drinking, or biting down on food, there could be a problem with your teeth. You may have bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth due to damaged teeth. You may detect a hole or crack in a tooth by touching it with your tongue or experience sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages. Most often, if you feel pain while eating food or drink, it means there’s something wrong with your teeth that should be treated right away.