Cavities

Before we discuss what cavities are, we need to talk about how cavities form. Cavities occur when a tooth comes into contact with acid repeatedly. This contact happens when someone eats or drinks foods that contain high levels of starch or sugar. The most notorious drinks are soda or fruit juice. The acid from these foods and drinks cause the enamel that protects your tooth to lose minerals. If too many of those minerals are lost, then the enamel could form a cavity.

A cavity causes irreversible damage to a tooth. It can be repaired by a filing.

The good news is that filings last a long time.

The other good news is that you can prevent cavities by being proactive with your dental care. One of the best weapons against cavity is fluoride. Luckily, in the United States fluoride is added to our drinking water. You should also brush at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride. You can also use a mouthwash with fluoride in addition to your toothpaste.

You can also prevent cavities by reducing your intake of high sugar drinks and candy. Sugar is the leading cause of cavities.

Also, frequent check-ups at Marietta Dental Professionals will allow our dental team to check to see if there are any early signs of tooth decay. Tooth decay is reversible and preventable if it is caught early enough. We may be able to spot and solve the issue before it turns into a permanent cavity.

If you’re interested in learning more about preventing cavities or need a filing to fix an existing one then stop in at Marietta Dental Professionals and say hello. You can call us to book an appointment if you would like.