4 Surprising Ways Cavities Can Impact Your Dental Health
While poor dental hygiene may not seem like a big deal, having these bad habits can lead to cavities and other serious dental issues. Cavities are a common dental issue, yet many patients don’t realize just how damaging they can be to your health.
1. Cavities are a form of tooth decay that can’t be reversed.
Cavities form due to bacteria on the surface of your teeth — a result of poor dental hygiene. These bacteria create acid out of sugar, damaging your enamel and creating tiny openings or holes. Once the damage has been done, there is no way to reverse it. However, dental treatment can prevent later stages of tooth decay caused by cavities.
2. Cavities change color as decay progresses.
When you first get a cavity, you may notice white, chalky spots on your enamel. These spots are caused by a loss of calcium and increased plaque build-up on your teeth, leading to weakened and deteriorated enamel.
As your cavity progresses, the decay could turn an eerie shade of black or brown — making the damage more noticeable. Eventually, an untreated cavity can even cause a hole in your tooth.
3. You may not know you have a cavity until it’s too late.
It’s common for patients not to notice the change in the color of their enamel and only find out they have a cavity until they’re at their next dental cleaning. That’s why it’s vital to visit your dentist twice a year (every six months) for a dental check-up and cleaning. Your dentist will closely examine your teeth for any signs of decay.
4. You could lose your teeth if a cavity is left untreated.
Many patients believe that a cavity isn’t a big deal — until they learn that the black spots on their teeth can turn into holes, and those holes can turn into the loss of the tooth. If an abscess forms on your tooth and is left untreated, your tooth will not be able to be repaired and will most likely need to be extracted.
Not only can losing a tooth have an impact on your speech, appearance, and eating abilities — it can have a severe effect on your health. Losing a tooth can also cause bacteria to accumulate under your gum line, resulting in advanced gum disease and loss of bone and tissue. Additionally, you may be at risk for developing a number of chronic conditions that have been linked to poor dental hygiene, such as Alzheimer’s.
Read More: Connecting Your Overall Health to Your Oral Health
General Dentistry & Endodontic Treatment in the Tri-State Area
If you have a cavity, you may need fluoride treatments, a root canal, a filling, or a crown to save your tooth before decay worsens. At ProHEALTH Dental, our goal is to provide proper oral health while helping people of all ages live healthier lives. Our dentists specialize in endodontic treatments to save your teeth and preserve healthy tissue while removing infection and decay.
Contact us to schedule your next dental check-up today to improve your oral health and prevent damage to your teeth.