Tooth decay is one of the most common health conditions people live with, with nearly 90% of adults developing a cavity in a permanent tooth by their 30s. The good news is that cavities don’t develop overnight, and the earliest stage of decay can often be reversed, before a drill or dental filling is ever needed.
Read on to learn what causes cavities, the early warning signs to watch for, how to reverse tooth decay, and where to find the best dentist in North Scottsdale for cavity prevention and treatment.
Lifestyle Habits and Foods That Cause Cavities
Almost every cavity starts the same way:
- A sticky film called plaque builds up on your teeth throughout the day
- Bacteria in that plaque feed on sugar and starch from the food you eat, and as they feed, they give off acid
- That acid slowly wears away the hard outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, in a process dentists call demineralization
Foods that cause the fastest demineralization are sugary foods and starchy foods like bread, crackers, and chips that break down into sugars. Acidic drinks such as soda and fruit juice also speed up demineralization. Your saliva serves as a first-line defense by rinsing away acid and helping to return minerals to your enamel. This also means that anything that lowers saliva flow gives tooth decay more room to set in. A cavity is what develops when this acid cycle repeats day after day until a small hole opens in the tooth.
Why do I Keep Getting Cavities?
Plenty of people brush and floss regularly and still get the disappointing news that they have a new cavity at every checkup. Typically, this is because of a few everyday habits that you may not even realize are raising the odds, including:
- Brushing for less than two minutes
- Not brushing around the gumline, where plaque tends to gather the most
- Snacking often through the day, which keeps the acid level in your mouth high
Other risk factors that you can’t control include:
- Having deep grooves in your back teeth that trap food and are harder to clean
- Developing dry mouth from medication or certain health conditions, which means you have less saliva to wash acid away
- Receding gums, which expose the softer roots of your teeth, and break down faster than the crown surface enamel
What Are the Early Signs of a Cavity?
Tooth decay rarely shows up as dental pain right away. In fact, the first sign of a cavity is often a chalky white spot near the gumline or on the chewing surface, which means the enamel has begun to demineralize. As the decay digs deeper, that spot can darken and even turn brown or gray. This is around the time you might feel a quick zing when a tooth meets something cold, hot, or sweet. You might also notice a dull ache when you bite down while chewing. Many early cavities form between teeth or inside grooves where you cannot see them, which is why dentists use dental X-rays to find decay you would never spot on your own. When you skip your routine dental checkups and professional dental cleanings, hidden cavities can progress until you need a tooth extraction or a root canal, followed by a dental crown.
Can I Reverse a Cavity?
One thing many people don’t know about cavities is that you can actually reverse small cavities in their earliest stages of development. In the earliest stage, tooth decay affects only the enamel on the surface of the tooth. At this stage, the tooth can rebuild lost minerals through a process called remineralization.
Fluoride treatments, steady saliva flow, and a lower-sugar diet all work together to repair enamel. Once decay breaks through the enamel and reaches the softer layer beneath, called dentin, the tooth can no longer rebuild itself, and a permanent hole forms. At that point, a dentist needs to remove the decayed tissue and fill the tooth with a composite resin or porcelain dental filling.
How to Stop Cavities Early: Daily Oral Hygiene Habits That Work
To prevent cavities, it’s the strong daily habits you have that make the most difference.
- Fluoride is the most useful tool you have both at home and in the dental chair. Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and ask your dentist whether a prescription-strength version makes sense for you.
- A good brushing technique is important. Use a soft-bristled brush with gentle circles, and clean along the gumline.
- Floss once a day to reach the tight spaces between teeth. If flossing feels difficult, try a water flosser.
- Easing up on how often you snack is great for your overall health and also gives your enamel time to recover between meals.
- Keeping your mouth moist also protects your teeth. Sipping water throughout the day and chewing sugar-free gum with xylitol both help slow the bacteria that cause decay.
How Often You Should Really See a Dentist
Even teeth that feel perfectly fine can be hiding early stages of tooth decay between them or just below the surface, which is why regular dental visits are so important. When you choose a provider who offers the best comprehensive dental care in North Scottsdale, you’ll get regular dental X-rays so you can find trouble long before you would notice it at home. The American Dental Association recommends regular dental visits at intervals determined by your dentist, with twice a year as a good starting point for most people.
Finding the Best Dentist in North Scottsdale for Families
Catching a cavity early with thorough dental checkups in North Scottsdale can save you from invasive and expensive treatments later on. This is why we bring together modern dental technology and comprehensive care at Kallos Dental Aesthetics.
Dr. Cole Bisbing leads our expert team as an Arizona native with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Arizona State University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University School of Dentistry. He sharpens his skills each year through advanced continuing education, which helps him bring careful, gentle dentistry and results that look and feel natural.
Ready to prevent and treat cavities with comprehensive dental care from the best dentist in North Scottsdale?
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