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Cavities
Provided by Colgate
"Cavities"
is another way of saying tooth decay. Tooth decay is heavily influenced
by lifestyle - what we eat, how well we take care of our teeth, the
presence of fluoride in our water and toothpaste. Heredity also plays a
role in how susceptible your teeth may be to decay.
While cavities are generally more common among children, adults are also at risk. The types of cavities include:
Adults are especially at risk for cavities if they suffer from Dry mouth, a condition due to a lack of saliva. Dry mouth may be caused by illness, medications, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and may be either temporary (days to months) or permanent, depending on its cause.
Cavities are very serious. Left untreated, a cavity can destroy your tooth and kill the delicate nerves at its center, which may result in an abscess, an area of infection at the root tip. Once an abscess forms, it can only be treated with a root canal, surgery or by extracting the tooth.
How Do I Know if I Have a Cavity?
Only
your dentist can tell for sure whether you have a cavity. That's
because cavities develop below the tooth's surface, where you can't see
them. When you eat foods that contain carbohydrates (sugars and
starches), these carbohydrates are eaten by the bacteria in plaque,
producing acids that eat into the tooth. Over time, the tooth enamel
begins to break down beneath the surface while the surface remains
intact. When enough of the sub-surface enamel is eaten away, the
surface collapses, forming a cavity.
Cavities are most likely to
develop in pits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, in between
teeth, and near the gumline. But regardless of where they occur, the
best way to spot them and treat them before they become serious is by
visiting your dentist regularly for checkups.
How Can I Help Prevent Cavities?
Healthy Tooth -- Early Decay -- Advanced Decay