They’re the dreaded words from the dentist no one wants to hear: “Well, it looks like you have a cavity.” A dental cavity is a hole in your tooth resulting from a tooth decaying process that occurs over time. While it would be great if we could reverse them, cavities represent permanent damage that cannot be reversed – only repaired. However, there are ways to prevent the tooth decay that causes cavities.
Tooth decay is the result of an infection with certain types of bacteria that use sugars in food to make acids, which over time produce a cavity in the tooth. As we eat throughout the day, these bacteria use the sugars or starches from our diet to produce these acids, which begin to eat away at the tooth’s enamel, or hard outer surface. On the other hand, minerals in our saliva and fluoride from toothpaste, water and other sources work to help enamel repair itself by replacing minerals lost from the acid.
A cavity develops when a tooth is exposed to acid frequently, as the repeated cycle of bacteria producing acids causes the enamel to continue to lose minerals. A sign of early decay is a white spot on the tooth, showing a loss of minerals. In these early stages, decay can be stopped or reversed via minerals in saliva and fluoride from toothpaste.
However, as the tooth decay process continues and more minerals are lost, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. While the damage wrought by a cavity is permanent, the hold can be repaired with fillings.
Ways to Prevent Cavities
There are many proactive measures you can take to keep cavities at bay. One way is using fluoride, a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing sometimes going so far as to reverse or stop early tooth decay. This mineral prevents mineral loss in tooth enamel, replaces lost minerals and reduces the ability of bacteria to make acid. You most commonly drink fluoride in tap water, but you can also brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste, use a fluoride mouth rinse and even take a fluoride supplement if you have unfluoridated well water at home.
Watching your diet may also help you prevent cavities. Avoiding foods and drinks containing a large amount of sugars and starches decreases the amount of acid bacteria in your mouth produces, limiting the acids that eat away at your tooth enamel.
Of course, regular brushing routine can eliminate the bacteria that cause cavities, while routine dental visits can also help detect early problems before they become full-blown cavities. To schedule your next appointment, give Genesee Dental a call today at 585-343-1113 or request an appointment online now.