Facts on Cavities

1. Mom Was Right, Brush Your Teeth

Tooth decay occurs when you expose your teeth to foods that destroy the tooth enamel. When you eat foods that contain sugar and starch, your body produces acid to dissolve the food. The acid and other debris mix together to form harmful plaque. This plaque eats away at the teeth when the food is not brushed away. Therefore, it's very important to brush your teeth after meals and remove the food particles.

2. Cavities, Not Just a Kid Thing

Not only kids get cavities. Men and women, young and old, are all susceptible to developing cavities. Your diet and genetics play a part in how many cavities you develop in your lifetime. Furthermore, as you age, your exposure to fluoride decreases as you start to rely on fluoride free bottled spring water to drink instead of tap water. Fluoride has the ability to help keep your teeth cavity free. You can get more fluoride by requesting treatments at your annual or biannual dental checkup.

3. Be a Dental Superhero, Fight Cavities

Besides fluoride treatments, you can perform other routines to prevent cavities. Spend several minutes brushing your teeth after meals. Brush in a circular motion and make your way over all teeth. Floss regularly to remove food from in between your teeth. Keep all of your dental appointments and ask your dentist for additional advice on how to fight cavities.

4. Tooth Fillings to the Rescue

To remove the cavity, a dentist drills out the decayed portion of your tooth. The dentist then fills the area using a restorative material. Possible choices for the material include silver, gold or composite. Furthermore, research points towards one day making fillings that contain fluoride. If successful, fluoride will slowly release and keep the tooth and surrounding teeth cavity free.

5. Treat Cavities Early or Endure a Root Canal Later

If tooth decay is severe, then the nerve of the tooth may die. In this case, a root canal is performed in order to save the tooth and avoid extraction. The dentist removes the nerve, performs a deep fill and then places a crown over the restored tooth. Before you need a root canal, you may start having pain or sensitivity that lets you know that the cavities are turning problematic. Contact a dentist if you start having any problems with a tooth.