A dental cavity is a hole in your tooth that develops as a result of the tooth decay process that happens over time.
How does a cavity develop? Sugar is used by bacteria in our mouth to form acids. We run the risk of exposing our teeth to acid by taking foods with high sugar and starch content. Acids leech minerals from the enamel through a process called demineralization. When teeth are frequently under attack by acids, they cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals.
In some cases, a white spot appears where the minerals are lost, indicating a tooth decay early on. At this point, you can still reverse or stop this decay since enamel can repair itself with fluoride from your toothpaste or minerals in the saliva. But, if you allow the tooth decay to continue, a greater number of minerals will be lost. This eventually leads to weakened enamel – forming a cavity permanently.
How do I know if I already have cavities? The symptoms of a cavity vary from person to person and these may be slightly different than those affecting other teeth. When a cavity is just forming, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as toothache or tooth sensitivity. You will also notice visible holes or pits in your teeth, or even dark or white staining on any surface of a tooth.
"When a cavity is just forming, you may not have any symptoms at all. Do not wait to experience a mouth pain or a toothache, always follow your regular dental appointments."
In the early stages of a cavity, you may not notice any symptoms like toothache or pain when biting, but they will develop as the decay grows. If a cavity is not treated it can destroy a good part of the tooth, making it hard to be restored with a conventional filling.
You should always schedule regular dental cleanings and checkups since most people aren’t even aware when a cavity is forming. Do not wait to experience a mouth pain or a toothache, always follow your regular dental appointments.
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