What Are Cavities
The pure definition of cavities is “tooth decay”. Tooth decay is directly influenced by what we eat and our intake of essential vitamins, how we maintain our teeth (do you use a good teeth whitener ?) and the amount of fluoride in the toothpastes that we use. If you have a family history of tooth disease or teeth problems, then you could very well inherit it that way. This is very common, but not avoidable with exstensive tooth care.
Those who suffer from a dry mouth are more at risk for cavities, due to the lack of saliva in their mouth. Dry mouth is commonly the result of medications, radiation treatment and illnesses. Tobacco users will also suffer from dry mouth, as the tobacco uses up the saliva in the mouth leaving the user with little saliva his or her mouth moist. How many of you smokers smoke with a glass of water by your side? Exactly.
Cavities, though small in size, could be a very serious situation. If they are left untreated, it can lead to the destruction of the tooth. This can also destroy the nerves as well, resulting in an abscess. What is an abscess? Well, funny you should ask - I’m going to tell you. An abscess is very serious, as it infects the root tip. If left untreated, an abscess can ultimately lead to death. Although you may not realize it, step-by-step, cavities are a very serious matter that can rapidly spread to something even more serious. Remember it can be easily avoidable by proper dental care to maintain healthy teeth.
If you visit your dentist on a regular basis he will ALWAYS check for cavities. Without visiting the dentist, it is impossible to tell whether or not you have a cavity. Most cavities develop below the gums, and you won’t be able to see them. If the cavity exists in the tooth, you will be able to see it, as it will change the color of the affected area. If you notice a color change or a blackened area in your tooth, you should make an appointment with your dentist immediately.
What you eat is a big factor with regard to cavities. If you eat a lot of sugary foods or drink a lot of soda, you’ll be at a much higher risk for cavities. Foods rich in sugar or starch are eaten by bacteria found in plaque. This produces acids that eat through teeth. This acid is very harmful to teeth. If you don’t do something about it, the acid will continue to eat at the tooth until you’re forced to get the tooth extracted.
Even though the surface will appear to be fine. Once the acid has managed to eat away enough of the enamel below the surface, the surface collapses, resulting in a cavity. If you don’t get it treated, the tooth will continue to be eaten and the cavity will continue to spread until all of the tooth has been eaten, after which the enamel will be gone and your root will be exposed. This can be very painful.
The easiest way to spot cavities is to visit your dentist. They will be able to do x-rays and find out just how bad they are and tell you what options you have. If you visit him in time, he will be able to save the tooth and stop the cavity before it spreads and decays your teeth.
