Tooth cavities, or dental caries, are a common problem that can affect people of all ages. A cavity starts when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, builds up on your teeth. When plaque mixes with sugar and starch, it creates acids that damage and wear away the tooth enamel. As the enamel breaks down, it makes the tooth more likely to develop cavities.
Dr. Cappy Sinclair and Dr. Mark Reichley are family dentists in Virginia Beach. We offer a full range of services to help prevent and treat tooth decay. Using tooth-colored restorations like composite fillings and porcelain crowns, we can fix cavities and restore your smile.
If you have a tooth that’s badly damaged and painful, we might suggest root canal therapy. We can take care of this treatment in one visit at our Virginia Beach office!
The Signs of a Tooth Cavity
You should know the signs of tooth cavities so you can get treatment before they cause serious damage. Early on, cavities might not show any clear symptoms, so it’s key to watch for changes in your teeth. Here are some signs and symptoms of cavities to look out for, so you can get help as soon as possible:
- Tooth Sensitivity: Especially when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages.
- Visible Holes in the Teeth: These holes may look white, black, or brown and can form on the surfaces between nearby teeth.
- Persistent Toothache: If you experience consistent pain in your teeth, it may be a sign of a cavity.
- Dark Spots: These spots can appear on the enamel of a tooth, indicating decay.
- Bad Breath: Chronic bad breath can sometimes be a sign of tooth decay.
- Small Surface pits: These often appear on the chewing surface of molars or premolars.
Tooth cavity symptoms vary from one patient to another. However, our dentist can spot the signs of early tooth decay and prevent the cavity from getting worse.
Preventing Tooth Decay
While tooth decay can happen, there are easy steps you can take to protect your teeth. Regular dental visits, brushing and flossing daily, and eating a healthy diet can help you avoid serious dental problems. Use the tips below to keep your smile healthy and prevent cavities.
- Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day: Brushing your teeth at least two times a day will prevent plaque buildup on the tooth surfaces and around the gums.
- Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride is an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against tooth decay.
- Floss Daily: Don’t skip the floss! Brushing only removes plaque from the front and back of teeth. Flossing removes plaque from between teeth, where cavities often form.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Avoid sugary drinks and soda. Water helps rinse the mouth and wash away plaque and bacteria. Dry mouth accelerates bacteria in the mouth, causing bad breath and can lead to cavities and gum disease.
- Eat Healthy: Avoid snacking between meals. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Chew Sugarless Gum: Chewing sugarless gum with xylitol or sorbitol for just 20 minutes a day can lower the risk of cavities. Look for the ADA seal on your pack of gum.
- Visit Your Dentist Regularly: The ADA recommends that children and adults visit the dentist at least twice a year for routine exams, dental cleanings, and x-rays. These visits can help spot problems before they become tooth decay and cavities.
Our dentists want you to feel confident about making small changes to your daily routine. These changes can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy for a lifetime.
Treatment For Dental Cavities
Our dental care team can help you fill your tooth cavities and prevent further decay. We offer preventative dental services to keep your teeth strong and protected. The most common way of filling a cavity is to use a dental filling. However, we can also provide partial crowns, and full crowns for larger cavities.
Composite Resin Dental Fillings
A composite resin filling is strong and protects your tooth from more decay in just one visit. The material hardens quickly, so our dentist shapes and polishes it directly on your tooth. First, the dentist will use a drill to remove the decayed part of your tooth.
Next, they will clean and shape the cavity to fit the filling. Finally, they will put in the composite resin to fill the cavity. To learn more about our composite dental fillings, see Dental filling.
Porcelain Inlays or Onlays (partial crowns)
A dental inlay and onlay is a type of restoration we can use to repair or replace one or more cusps of a decayed tooth. The cusp is the top surface of a tooth. Our dentist will use an inlay or onlay to fill a cavity that is too large for a simple filling. However, the treatment is usually less invasive than placing a crown.
The process of getting an inlay or onlay is like getting a filling, except it will involve a dental lab. First, our dentist cleans out the decay. Then he will make a mold of your tooth and send it to a dental lab. The lab makes the inlay or onlay to fit your tooth.
When the inlay or onlay is ready, the dentist will attach it to your tooth using dental cement. He will trim and smooth out the edges so that it fits well. Then, he will harden the cement with a special light, and check your bite. Finally, the dentist will polish the inlay or onlay so it blends with your tooth and rest of your mouth.
Ceramic Dental Crowns
Ceramic crowns are a great way to fix decayed or broken teeth and other dental problems. They look natural, are strong, and last a long time. Our dentists use them to restore teeth and improve your dental health. If you have a big cavity that can’t be fixed with a filling, inlay, or onlay, a ceramic crown will give your tooth the protection it needs.
Tooth Cavities FAQs
What happens if you don’t treat a tooth cavity?
If you don’t treat a cavity, it will eat away at the tooth and continue deeper, working its way to the root of your tooth. This can cause severe tooth damage, infection, and tooth loss! A root canal procedure may become necessary, or you risk losing your tooth altogether.
Can a tooth with a cavity heal itself?
After a cavity has formed, it cannot heal itself. Once a patient begins to feel pain from the tooth, they should see a dentist soon. This means that damage to the tooth is getting worse and needs quick treatment. Tooth enamel doesn’t grow back.
Do cavities spread from tooth to tooth?
Cavities don’t spread from tooth to tooth, but infections can. Infections can make other nearby cavities get worse if you don’t take care of your teeth.
Are cavities permanent?
Dental cavities are permanent. They are decayed areas of your tooth that develop into holes and openings. Fillings come in to replace the decayed area and strengthen your weakened tooth. Without a filling or crown, the cavity will only get larger and cause more harm.
What are the stages of a cavity?
The first sign of a cavity is when you see white spots on your tooth. Then, the tooth enamel starts to decay. As the decay gets worse, it can reach the inside of the tooth, causing pain and making you notice a problem. Advanced cavities look like black spots or holes in the tooth.
Give us a call at 757-656-6368, or request a dental exam online today.