Cavities are one of the most common illnesses in the world, with more than 20 percent of all people in the world experiencing a cavity at some point in their lifetime. But many people don’t know that cavities are preventable, even after they’ve started forming. In fact, there are lots of things about cavities that you may not know. Here’s a primer on cavities, and what you can do to reverse or prevent them.
WHAT ARE CAVITIES?
Cavities are pits or spots of damage on the teeth. They can also be referred to as caries. Cavities form usually as a result of poor oral health, such as not brushing as frequently or as adequately as possible, and not flossing.
ARE CAVITIES REVERSIBLE?
Cavities can sometimes be reversed at the tooth decay stage, which comes prior to the cavity stage. Tooth decay occurs when soft spots begin to form in the tooth enamel, weakening the tooth’s defenses and allowing the pit in the tooth to form. Sometimes, Dr. Abelar will see a troubling spot on your tooth but opt to not fill it, because it is not as far advanced as an actual cavity. When this happens, you can prevent a full-blown cavity from forming by babying the tooth with great oral hygiene.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT CAVITIES
For the best results in preventing cavities, it is recommended that you brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time, and floss at least once a day between every tooth. This is because flossing cleans 30 percent of the surface of the teeth that brushing alone misses.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU CAN’T PREVENT A CAVITY
If it’s simply too late to prevent a cavity from forming, Dr. Abelar will recommend a filling. Fillings come in many forms, including regular fillings, crowns, inlays, or onlays. Crowns cover the entire tooth, like a cap or a crown. Inlays and onlays are not as big as crowns, but are bigger than traditional fillings for teeth with more damage.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A CAVITY?
Sometimes, you can tell something is wrong with your tooth if it causes you pain either all the time or when chewing. You may also notice brown spots on the tooth, or experience bleeding from the tooth. If this occurs, contact Dr. Abelar and schedule an appointment.
The other way to tell if you have cavities is to attend your annual or bi-annual dental exam and be evaluated by Dr. Abelar. He can diagnose any cavities and repair them before they get worse and require more intervention, such as a root canal.
