What Exactly Is a Cavity?

By Aisha Nasir, DDS

That's the word no one wants to hear at the dentist's office. A cavity develops when a tooth decays or breaks down. It is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called dental cariesand if you have a cavity, it's important to get it repaired.

But why would your tooth develop a hole? The main reason is plaque. That's a sticky substance made up mostly of the germs that cause tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the outermost layer of the tooth, called theenamel.

If you don't go to thedentist, the acids can continue to make their way through the enamel, and the inside parts of your tooth can begin to decay. Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and may takeradiographs. If your dentist discovers a cavity, he or she can repair it for you by first removing the decayed part of your tooth with a special drill. The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with a special material which can be white or silver. The result is called a filling.

Does it hurt? Sometimes it does, but your dentist can give you anesthesia.That's a kind of medicine that will numb the area around the problem tooth while you're getting your new filling.

That's the layman's explanation for describing what a cavity is. Now lets talk about how to prevent cavities.

Brush twice a day.
Floss daily.
Strengthen your teeth's defenses with fluoride, sealants and agents that contain calcium and phosphate ions.
Have your dentist or dental hygienist place sealants on your back teeth.

Some mouthwashes reduce bacteria in your mouth. This can help prevent decay. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help reduce the number of bacteria that cause cavities and increase the flow of saliva.

Most importantly, visit your dentist regularly. Then the dentist can find any decay early, when it can be treated and reversed.