Cavities in teeth and molars: how can I recognize them?

 

Cavities, also called caries or tooth decay, almost everyone has probably had to deal with them at some point. There are several symptoms by which you can recognize them. But how are cavities actually treated? And what happens if you do nothing about it? We will tell you all about it in this blog!

How do cavities form?

The cause of cavities is due to the bacteria in dental plaque. Dental plaque is on your teeth and molars. The bacteria convert food residues (carbohydrates) into acid. Due to the strength of the acid, it bites through part of the tooth enamel. When too much enamel is affected, the enamel surface breaks. This creates holes.

How to recognize a hole?

Cavities have different stages they are in. When you recognize a cavity at an early stage, the cavity can still be treated with good oral care so that no further tooth decay occurs. Signs of an early-stage hole include whitish spots, black dots, or dark discoloration. However, these are signals and do not always have to be cavities. When a hole is in a more advanced stage, you may experience pain when consuming hot foods or very cold drinks. People with a cavity also often suffer from bad breath or a bad taste in their mouth.

How are cavities treated?

Tooth decay is treated by the dentist in different ways, e.g., by white cavity filling. If necessary, you will first be anesthetized. After this, tooth decay is drilled, after which the tooth or molar is then roughened so that the filling adheres better. In our practice, cavities are generally always filled with composite. When too much healthy tooth tissue has been lost due to tooth decay, and there is little support for a composite filling, a crown is also placed in some cases.

What happens if I do nothing about it?

If you wait too long to treat a cavity, the bacteria and acids can dissolve the tooth enamel. As a result, there is a chance that the hole will reach the tooth nerve. This can cause considerable pain, which can then only be solved with a root canal treatment. Of course, you don't want this. Don't let it get that far! Visit the dentist and dental hygienist regularly. Prevention is always better than cure.

Do you suspect that you recognize cavities? Then make an appointment quickly with Virginia dental clinic to remedy this.