Cavities

Cavities, often a result of tooth decay, are one of the most common conditions with over 80% of people having at least one affected tooth by the age of 39. Although it usually occurs in children and young adults, it can affect anyone at any age. If the cavities get too bad, it could result in tooth loss so it's important to make sure you practice good oral hygiene and visit your doctor regularly.

Causes and risk factors

The mouth contains bacteria that are used to convert all foods into acids. The bacteria combined with food particles, acid and saliva create plaque which sticks unforgivingly to your teeth. If you dontt remove the plaque, then it can mineralize into tartar and irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and periodontitis. Cavities occur when the acid in plaque dissolves the enamel surface of the tooth and creates a hole or pit. It may be relatively painless at first, but if left untreated it can grow to affect the nerve or cause even cause a tooth fracture.

The intake of carbohydrates increases the risk of tooth decay because sticky foods tend to remain on the surface of teeth longer than non-sticky foods. Frequent snacking also increases your risk for cavities because it increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.

In most cases, symptoms are unlikely to occur until substantial damage has been done. Your tooth may, however, feel achy, particularly after eating sweets and really hot or cold foods and beverages. The cavity may also progress enough for you to actually see the pit or hole yourself. Luckily, most cavities are discovered early on by your dentist during a routine checkup. That's why it's so important to see your dentist regularly. They can also order a dental x-ray, which may show some cavities before they are visible to the eye.

Treatment and prevention

Treatment is an important part of making sure the cavities don't get worse and lead to other issues. The dentist will determine which option is best for you depending on the severity of the cavity and other individual factors. The different options include:

• Fillings: To treat the cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and fill that area of the tooth with either gold; porcelain; silver amalgam (which containsmercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper); or tooth-colored, plastic and glass materials called composite resin fillings.
• Crowns: Crowns are tooth shaped "caps" that are placed over the decaying tooth to restore it to its original size, shape and strength. The crowns are cemented in place and fully cover the visible part of the tooth.
• Root Canal: If the nerve in the tooth dies, then a root canal is recommended. Your dentist will remove the center of the tooth, including the nerve, blood vessel and decayed portion. The tooth and roots are filled with a sealing material and a crown may be placed over the tooth if necessary.

Practicing good oral hygiene is the number one thing you can do to prevent cavities from forming. This includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once a day, attending routine professional cleanings every 6 months to a year and an annual dental x-ray. You should avoid snacking on chewy, sticky foods, but if you must then try to rinse your mouth with water directly after. Constantly sipping on sugary drinks or sucking on candy or mints should also be avoided in order to prevent the formation of cavities.