We’ve all heard growing up as children not to overeat sugar before bed, or it will rot your teeth out. And there’s truth to that. Sugar is well-known for causing cavities. But what causes cavities, and why is it essential to treat them? A cavity is a spot on a tooth where bacteria has broken that tooth down. In simpler terms, a cavity is a spot of a tooth that bacteria have weakened. While sugar is the leading cause of many cavities, acid is also a culprit for some patients. Learn more about how cavities are caused and why preventing and treating them is essential.
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What Causes Cavities?
The way that bacteria break down teeth is that they eat sugar, or digestible carbohydrates, and then produce acid. The acid goes into the enamel, breaking it down, and making pores and holes. The bacteria go into the holes and pores, penetrating deeper into the tooth. Once you have bacteria that’s gone into the tooth and it starts to continue to produce acid, it will eventually begin to digest tooth material. It starts eating on the teeth, weakening them, making acid, digesting more tooth material, etc. When cavities break through the enamel to the dentin, the cavity will not get any smaller. If the cavity remains in the enamel, the tooth’s hard outer layer, it can still be remineralized. The decay could pause or stay where it is, or your body might even fight off the bacteria enough to where that tooth is no longer weakened.
A Bacterial Process
Once it goes through that second layer, the tooth will keep getting weakened no matter what. It is a bacterial process, so bacteria that cause cavities can spread from one tooth to the other. It most likely will spread to the nearby teeth, but it can spread around the mouth through saliva. Cavity-spreading bacteria can also be spread to children through parents or person-to-person using the same spoon or fork, kissing them, or drinking out of the same glass.
Cavities are caused mainly by sugary substances, as sugar is the most easily digestible carbohydrate. That’s why sugar-filled beverages and food are the most prevalent cause of cavities. Sugary beverages are especially detrimental as the liquid easily flows between teeth, which a toothbrush can’t easily reach. Because brushing can’t get in those tight spots between the teeth, flossing is crucial to preventing cavities and tooth decay.
Acid & Tooth Erosion
Cavities are also an acidic process. When people eat food with a lot of acid and have cavities or cavity-causing bacteria, that acid will only further the tooth’s destruction. If people are not prone to cavities or don’t eat a lot of sugar but eat a lot of acidic food, they can experience erosion. Erosion is the breaking down of a tooth without a cavity.
Tell-Tale Signs of a Cavity
Sensitivity is one of the first major indicators that you may have a cavity. If it hurts to bite down into anything hot, cold, or sweet, then there’s the potential that a cavity is a cause. Bad odors and foul tastes from a tooth are other signs of an advanced cavity. For more advanced cavities, there may even be some pain around the affected teeth. Patients who suspect they have a cavity can most likely wait until their next six-month appointment. However, patients that notice a black spot or something that won’t come off the tooth will want to get it checked out sooner.
Cavity Symptoms
- Sensitivity
- Bad odors
- Foul tastes
- Pain
- Black spots
Why Cavity Treatment Is Essential
Treating cavities is essential as the bacteria is easily spread from tooth-to-tooth. Plus, once the cavity penetrates through to the dentin, it won’t stop growing. Severe cavities are painful and potentially require more than a filling to treat. Not to mention, fillings are less expensive than crowns or root canals, which is why early treatment is essential. Postponing getting a cavity filled could potentially cost more in the future if the tooth decay worsens. Treating a cavity while small is the most cost-effective and prevents pain down the line.
How a Filling Works
If the cavity is deep enough, we will get patients numb before performing a filling. For really small or superficial cavities, numbing might not be necessary. We will use a bur and a drill to remove the decayed tooth structure before removing a slight amount of tooth structure around it. After that, we acid etch the tooth to help open up pores to accept the bond. We then put the bond on the tooth, dry it, and then put a composite filling it. For various reasons, we don’t do amalgam fillings or metal fillings at Cedarwood Dentistry. Instead, our fillings are resin, tooth-colored fillings, essentially fancy cured plastic that we can mold to the tooth. When we do fillings for patients, our goal is to make it invisible — to the eye, the tongue, and your bite. We want it to feel like your regular teeth.
How Long Do Fillings Last?
A medium-to-large composite filling can last up to two years, while smaller fillings can last much longer. We typically recommend crowns for larger fillings, which can last 5 to 20 years.
Are Some People More Prone to Cavities?
As genetics determine what type of saliva you produce, it also plays a role in cavity production. Along with genetics, diet is another reason people may be more prone to cavities. Patients with high-sugar diets or who consume many fermentable carbohydrates are more likely to develop cavities. Diet and genetics are the two leading causes, while medications and dry mouth are other important factors that could potentially cause cavities. Teeth alignment and tongue placement are other insignificant reasons a patient might be more susceptible to cavities.
When it comes to what causes cavities, sugar is often the main cause. Whatever the reason though, it’s better to treat cavities sooner before it’s too late. If you’re having tooth pain or sensitivity, or think you may have a cavity, reach out today to make an appointment.
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.