Cavities are not nice to experience, and it would help to understand what they are and how to prevent them before you're overwhelmed with them. Dentists are there to help correct cavities, but there are a few things you can do yourself to prevent you from ever getting them. If you are looking for tooth decay treatment in Stone Mountain GA, we can help you.

What are Cavities

Cavities are the result of tooth damage or decay. Decay is something that affects both the outer layer (enamel) and the inner layer (dentin) of the tooth, and you must be careful if you're experiencing any forms of decay. It's all too easy to overlook common and decent dental hygiene practices, which is the leading cause of the development of a cavity.

The longer you leave your cavities, the worse they get. If they get worse, you'll be open to much more painful experiences, and it could be disastrous if you don't get it treated quickly by a dentist.

Symptoms

There are a few key symptoms of cavities that you should pay close attention to; they include:

• Pain or toothache (especially if it's sudden and without warning)
• Tooth sensitivity (to hot or cold temperatures)
• Pain when eating or drinking sweet things
• Holes or pits in your teeth (usually visibly identifiable)
• Black, white, or brown stains on your teeth
• Pain when you bite down

If any of the above apply to you, you might be experiencing cavities, and it's best to consult your dentist immediately.

Causes

Unfortunately, cavities are something that we all have to deal with. If we don't keep on top of optimal gum and dental health, we may well experience them ourselves. Many people believe they're only for children or older people, but the truth is, if you have teeth, you are susceptible to cavities.

Some of the most common causes that are likely to determine whether you get cavities include:

• Sugary foods and drink
• Poor dental hygiene (mostly not brushing your teeth and allowing plaque and decay to form)
• Lack of fluoride (a mineral found in toothpaste)
• Dry mouth
• Eating disorders
• Acid reflux

Can they be prevented?

Thankfully, it's not all bad. While anyone can get cavities, they are preventable. There are a few things you should do to limit your chances of developing cavities yourself:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash
• Floss your teeth
• Eat a balanced diet
• Visit your dentist for cleaning and checkups regularly

Treatment

If you've already got cavities, you may want to know what treatment options are available to you. The best thing to do is consult your dentist, but they might talk you through one of the following treatments:

• Fillings
• Crowns
• Root canals

Of course, the treatment decision mostly comes down to how bad the cavities are. Some can be manageable, meaning that you only need to follow one of the prevention options above to manage them and bring your teeth back to a healthy state. The worse cavities may lead to something like crowns or root canals.

For tooth decay treatment in  Stone Mountain GA, check out Transcendental Smiles of Georgia.

Summary

Cavities aren't something we have to live with. They're preventable, and many dentists will tell you the same. Make sure you keep on top of your dental hygiene if you want to minimize the chance of you ever getting them.

For the best family dentist in Stone Mountain GA, contact Transcendental Smiles of Georgia.