What are Cavities?
Cavities are areas of tooth decay that, over time, damage the hard outer layer of a tooth. They are created by bacteria and debris that stay on the tooth surface for too long. Sometimes the bacteria and debris can become trapped in between your teeth. The bacteria feed off of the sugars in the food we eat. This is why it is important to brush and floss your teeth twice a day.
Symptoms
Often you will not be able to tell if you have a small cavity, but larger cavities have symptoms that are easy to recognize. Often the tooth will be very sensitive to hot and cold. It can also hurt when you are chewing. Sometimes you may even be able to see or feel a cavity.
The Best way to avoid a cavity is by brushing your teeth!
Humans have canine teeth, which were named because they resemble a dogs tooth!
Treatment Options
Fillings are the most common treatment for cavities. Sometimes, if they are too large, crowns or even root canals are the only treatment options.
Fillings
Once your dentist has evaluated the tooth decay, they may decide a filling is needed. The dentist will typically numb the patient, so there is no pain during the procedure. Next, they will use a very small drill to remove the decayed areas of the tooth. The dentist then uses a composite material to fill the tooth. Once the material has hardened, a drill is used to shape and polish the filling.