Cavities Specialist

What are cavities?

Cavities are holes or openings in your teeth. Cavities are formed by the acid in plaque, which is a sticky substance that attaches to your teeth, eats away at your enamel, and creates the hole.

When you eat starchy and sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth turns them into acid. The acid combines with food particles, bacteria, and saliva to form plaque, which begins the decaying process and the formation of cavities.

How do I know if I have a cavity?

Cavities may not cause any symptoms, especially during the early stages, so you may not know you have one, which is why it’s important to visit the team at Lakeview Family Dental regularly for checkups and cleanings to examine your teeth for cavities. Catching cavities early may help prevent the need for an invasive treatment.

If your cavity has grown in size, you may begin to experience symptoms such as:

• Toothache
• Pain when eating or sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks
• Brown, black, or white stains on your teeth
• Noticeable holes in your teeth

How are cavities treated?

Treatment for your cavity may depend on the extent of the tooth damage. If the cavity is just forming, the team at Lakeview Family Dental may treat it with fluoride, which helps the tooth restore itself.

If the cavity has progressed, the team at Lakeview Family Dental fills the cavity with tooth-colored enamel to restore your tooth and prevent further decay. This treatment requires removing the decayed part of your tooth, cleaning the area, and filling the hole.

For more severe cavities, you may need:

• Crown: replaces part of damaged or weakened tooth
• Root canal: removes an infection from the pulp of your tooth
• Tooth extraction: last resort for severely decayed tooth

How can I prevent cavities from forming?

Good oral hygiene may help prevent the formation of cavities, which includes:

• Brushing at least twice a day
• Flossing daily
• Visiting the team at Lakeview Family Dental as scheduled for checkups and cleanings

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste after you eat may also help prevent cavities from forming.

For gentle and effective cavity treatment, call the office or book an appointment online today.