The Dangers of Cavities and What You Can do to Prevent Them

Most people in Sunnyvale, California, know something about dental cavities. However, many don’t understand how to prevent teeth cavities or the full ramifications of what can happen if a cavity goes unchecked. To protect teeth and prevent cavities, it’s a good idea to understand how cavities work.

How a Dental Cavity Forms

A dental cavity is a hole in your tooth. A cavity isn’t something that goes away or heals on its own. Not only is the cavity permanent, but it can grow progressively worse if not treated. A cavity forms when plaque produces acid that erodes tooth enamel.

How Cavities Become Dangerous

Even at the very start, a cavity can cause:

If you don’t deal with the cavity sooner than later, you might end up with various other complications. Those other problems can include:

Of particular concern is infection. An untreated tooth infection can lead to further infection elsewhere in the body. This can become a very serious issue. 

The pain can affect your diet as it will become harder to eat. And any of these complications can create issues in your day-to-day life and activities.

How to Deal with Cavities

You should see a dentist immediately to discuss your options. The most common solutions will attempt to save what’s left of your tooth. Those solutions include fillings, crowns, or a root canal followed by a filling and crown. When it’s not possible to save the tooth, or it makes no sense to do so, you might need to have your tooth extracted.

How to Protect Teeth and Prevent Cavities

To protect teeth and prevent cavities, properly brush at least twice daily, floss regularly, and visit your dentist for routine checkups and cleanings. Avoid sugary foods. Outside of that, that is really all there is to it.

For cavity concerns, contact Harmony Smile Dental in Sunnyvale, California, where Dr. Ryan Zhuoran Zhao and the team can help. Call Harmony Smile Dental right now at (408) 738-1000 to schedule an appointment.