Overview
A cavity is a damaged area in a tooth that becomes a small hole or opening over time. It happens when dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, uses sugars from food and drinks to make acids that wear away tooth enamel. If decay keeps spreading, it can reach deeper parts of the tooth and become more painful and harder to treat.
Key Symptoms
Early cavities may cause no symptoms, which is why regular dental exams matter. As decay gets worse, symptoms can include tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, toothache, pain when biting, visible holes or dark spots, and bad breath. In some cases, swelling or pus around a tooth can happen if infection develops.
Causes and Risk Factors
Cavities are caused by repeated acid attacks on the teeth from bacteria in plaque. Risk factors include frequent sugary snacks or drinks, poor brushing and flossing habits, not getting enough fluoride, dry mouth, gum recession that exposes tooth roots, and dental crowding that makes cleaning harder. Smoking and some health conditions or medicines that reduce saliva can also increase risk.
Who Is Affected
People of all ages can get cavities, including babies, children, teenagers, adults, and older adults. Young children may be at risk if sugary liquids are used often, especially around sleep times. Older adults may have higher risk because of dry mouth, exposed roots, and older dental work that can wear down over time.
Prevention
Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth every day can lower the risk of cavities. Limiting sugary foods and drinks, especially frequent sipping, also helps. Regular dental visits allow a dentist to check for early decay and advise on fluoride, sealants, and other preventive steps based on individual needs.
Diagnosis and Tests
A dentist usually diagnoses cavities by asking about symptoms, examining the teeth, and checking for soft or damaged areas. Dental X-rays may be used to find decay between teeth or under the surface where it cannot be seen easily. Early decay may be identified before a hole becomes obvious.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on how deep the decay is. Early decay may be managed with preventive dental care, while more advanced cavities often need a filling to repair the tooth. If decay reaches the inner tooth tissue, more extensive dental treatment may be needed, and a badly damaged tooth may sometimes need removal.
Diet and Lifestyle
Try to reduce how often sugary or starchy foods and drinks are consumed during the day, because frequent exposure gives plaque bacteria more chances to make acid. Drinking water, especially after meals, can help rinse the mouth. A balanced diet and daily oral hygiene support overall tooth health.
When to Seek Medical Care
Arrange a dental visit if you have tooth pain, sensitivity that does not go away, visible holes or dark spots, pain when chewing, or bleeding and swollen gums around a sore tooth. Seek prompt dental care if a filling falls out or a tooth breaks, because damage can expose weaker parts of the tooth. Do not ignore symptoms even if they come and go.
When It May Be an Emergency
Get urgent dental or medical help if you have severe tooth pain with swelling of the face or jaw, fever, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, or pus around a tooth. These can be signs of a serious infection that may spread and needs urgent assessment.