Cavities are a fact of life that many of us have to deal with. It is important to not only keep our teeth clean and healthy but also to take the time to correct issues like cavities when they pop up. Knowing when to intervene and seek the help of a dentist when it comes to your dental health is a must.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity, put quite simply, is a hole in the enamel of a tooth that has begun to decay. They are caused by weak spots it the enamel where bacteria have the chance to eat through and decay the interior of the tooth. Many cavities are caused by the bacteria that live in plaque. When plaque is allowed to stay on the teeth for an extended period of time it wears down the enamel and can then lead to a cavity. Cavities do worsen over time and can end in the total destruction of the tooth if they are not treated.
Why Treat Cavities?
The first and foremost reason you should treat a cavity is to help restore your overall dental health and to prevent further decay. Cavities can spread and they can also completely destroy a tooth to the point that it must be removed either by pulling or surgical methods. It is important to keep in mind that cavities can also lead to further issues with the teeth. Not only can they lead to the need for a tooth extraction, they may also lead to damage in the nerves and nerve pain that will not go away.
People tend not to take cavities seriously and simply forget about them and hope they will resolve themselves. The opposite is true. A cavity cannot and will not self-heal and will only continue to decay and damage your tooth and lessen your overall dental health. The bacteria in a cavity can also cause gum disease and major pain and infection in the mouth if not treated.
How to Prevent Cavities
A great way to prevent cavities or at the very least to catch and treat them quickly is to take the time to find the right dentist that can provide you with crucial dental care to keep your teeth healthy. A dentist like Greater Baltimore Prosthodontics can set up a treatment plan that allows you to have your teeth cleaned on a regular basis, to have cavities treated when they are small and manageable, and to make sure your overall dental health is as good as it can possibly be.
With the right dental plan at your dentist, along with care at home like brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, you can prevent cavities and can catch them when they are still small enough to be cared for and treated quickly and easily. Cavities are far more serious than most people understand and they can lead to a great deal of dental issues if they are not treated quickly and efficiently. With the right dentist, you can keep your teeth looking and feeling great so that you can keep your teeth longer and boost your overall dental health.