Want to prevent cavities? Not sure how to start? Don’t worry, a bright, healthy smile is possible, and we can help you set and keep a great oral health care routine to keep cavities away. If you do have a cavity, or the beginning of one, it’s a great opportunity to keep an eye on certain habits and brush up on some new ones.
What are cavities?
Cavities, also called tooth decay or dental caries (the scientific name) are holes that develop on the hard surface of your teeth. The process of decay occurs over time:
- Bacteria feed off sugar and carbohydrates (starches) in the foods we eat, producing acids.
- If the acids stay on your tooth and are not brushed off, they dissolve minerals in the hard enamel.
- Over time, the enamel erodes or develops pits. They are too small to see at first. But they get larger over time.
- If the decayed enamel is left uncontrolled, then the decay process continues, forming a cavity.