A cavity is a hole in a tooth that forms when bacteria eat away at the dental tissue. That’s one of the reasons it’s important to schedule regular visits with your family dentist. Don’t wait until you’re experiencing tooth pain to make an appointment. Although brushing and flossing your teeth regularly helps remove much of the bacteria that form cavities, during a dental cleaning, professionals use special tools and techniques to clean areas you can’t reach thoroughly.

What Your Family Dentist Wants You to Know About Cavities

Where They Come From

When you eat sweet foods, some of the sugar gets left behind on your teeth. If you don’t clean it, that sugar will develop into plaque, attracting bacteria that eat away at the tooth. Eventually, a cavity will form. If it isn’t filled in, the bacteria can reach the root of your tooth, resulting in major decay.

Preventing Consequences

When patients ignore cavities, they may experience severe tooth pain, bad breath, loss of teeth, and gum disease. Until a professional addresses the problem, the decay will spread to other parts of the teeth and mouth.

Luckily, a family dentist can save you from these consequences by filling in the cavity. Depending on the severity of the decay, they may need to remove some infected tissue first. Then, they simply fill up the hole, preventing bacteria from getting in.

Again, you can avoid these problems entirely by staying on top of oral hygiene and scheduling regular dental cleanings. With help from an expert, you’ll keep your teeth in great shape.

Looking for a family dentist in the Clermont County, OH, area? Make an appointment at Bethel Family Dentistry. Their emphasis on prevention and education helps patients play an active role in their dental health. Contact them online to learn about scheduling an appointment, or call (513) 734-2029.