About 17 percent of children aged 5 to 19 have untreated cavities in the past ten years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Untreated tooth decay leads to cavities, commonly known as dental caries. Tooth decay can eventually lead to holes that penetrate deep into your teeth, possibly reaching the root. Fortunately, with proper dental hygiene from Livermore Dentistry, early cavities can be avoided and even go away on their own.
This blog will go over how cavities form, how to avoid getting one, and how to stop tooth decay in its tracks.
Cavities: What Causes Them?
Tooth decay can be found in cavities. Although they can develop on any portion of a tooth, including the root, they are most frequently found on the chewing surfaces of teeth at the gum line and in the back of the mouth. Cavities develop gradually. Your mouth’s microorganisms break down the sugars and starches in food when you eat, releasing an acid that erodes tooth enamel. At first, the damage is beneath the tooth surface, but a cavity will develop if it persists and the enamel completely deteriorates.
Is It Possible to Reverse a Cavity?
Cavities may usually be reversed if they are found early enough in the demineralization process, which is the first step of tooth decay.
Proper dental care during this phase is essential to replenishing teeth’s minerals and preventing decay. This entails consistent brushing and flossing as well as frequent exposure to fluoride, a mineral that fortifies tooth enamel.
Sadly, cavities cannot always be avoided, even with better oral care. In these situations, the extent of the tooth decay determines how the cavity is treated.
Is Natural Cavity Healing Possible?
Teeth have a natural tendency to remineralize minor damage, but genuine cavities cannot “heal” on their own. Remineralization is the process by which minerals from fluoride and saliva are redeposited into deteriorated enamel. Nevertheless, this procedure is only effective on microscopic damage before forming a visible void.
Nevertheless, It is essential to maintain strict dental hygiene procedures to prevent cavities from forming. This comprises:
- Using fluoride toothpaste to brush twice a day
- Frequent use of floss
- Reducing intake of acidic and sugary meals
- Making an appointment for routine dental cleanings and using antibacterial mouthwash
How Cavities Are Treated
You will need professional treatment after tooth decay has advanced past its early stages and a cavity has developed. Dentists can restore tooth structure, stop cavities from getting worse, and stop more damage with a variety of treatment choices. These could consist of:
- Dental fillings: If the cavity has not yet spread to the tooth’s deeper layers, a dentist can remove the decayed area and fill the cavity with an appropriate material, such as amalgam or composite resin.
- Root canal: If dental decay has spread to the dental pulp (nerve), causing discomfort or infection, a root canal procedure may be required to remove the infected pulp, clean the root canal, and seal it to prevent additional damage.
- Dental crowns: To preserve and reinforce the tooth’s remaining structure when decay has severely affected it, a dental crown may be advised.
By seeing your dentist as soon as you detect a cavity, you can prevent serious tooth decay and the need for extensive treatment.
Conclusion
Cavities are regarded as one of the most prevalent types of dental decay and are also possibly the simplest to cure. Fortunately, practicing proper dental hygiene can reverse the early stages of a cavity.
Fluoride exposure, frequent brushing and flossing, and routine cleanings can all help prevent or even reverse tooth decay during early demineralization.