Of adults between the ages of 20-64, 92% have had tooth decay. Cavities are the most common disease on the planet! This is mostly because of the amount of sugar people tend to consume.
Do cavities usually hurt? At what point should you consult Dr. Sachs? Our latest blog post covers identifying possible tooth decay, and what to do about it.
Recognizing Tooth Decay
A cavity happens when the surface or enamel of the tooth is damaged by acid and bacteria. This eventually leads to what is known as dental caries, or a cavity, which is essentially a pit in the enamel. The cavity starts at the outermost layer, the tooth enamel, but, if not dealt with, it will also wear down to the inner layer of the tooth, called dentin.
Sometimes, you can recognize tooth decay if there is a dark spot on your tooth. This won't always indicate a cavity, however. Some dark spots might only be stains from drinks or food.
In other cases, there may not be a spot even when a cavity is present. Such dark spots could also be a sign of injury or be the result of some medications. Ultimately, you should visit Dr. Sachs for a thorough exam if you suspect you may have a cavity.
Don't Cavities Cause Pain?
Whether or not you have pain from tooth decay is determined by what stage the decay is at. There won't be any pain when the tooth decay is only in the enamel, but the pain will likely start as the tooth decay goes deeper. When the cavity reaches the dentin, you may begin to have sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures or general tooth pain.
It's important to get any tooth pain checked out by the dentist as it could lead to a serious infection or even the loss of a tooth. The earlier the dentist is able to address tooth decay, the easier the treatment.
Dr. Sachs will look for soft spots on your teeth to find cavities. You will also have
x-rays to spot any decay that you can't see or feel, like those areas between teeth.
Can Cavities be Prevented?
You can get a cavity when foods with sugar or carbohydrates such as candy, cake, fruit, bread, and others remain on your teeth for too long. Bacteria that's present in your mouth break these down and change them into acid. This combines with your saliva, turning into plaque, which sticks to your teeth. The plaque will start to eat away at the tooth's enamel.
To keep from getting tooth decay, make sure you
avoid too many foods and drinks with excessive sugar and remove the plaque from your teeth by brushing and flossing your teeth properly.
Don't Put It Off! Call Our Office!
There isn't any way to know for sure if you have a cavity unless you go to a dentist. Once there's a cavity in your tooth, it will only get worse over time. The more you put it off, the worse the damage. If you have any concerns about your teeth or mouth, you should call our office to
schedule an appointment as soon as possible.