You’ve probably heard of a cavity before and you probably know that you should have a cavity filled as soon as possible. However, do you know exactly what a cavity is or what you can do to avoid the issue?
Basically, a cavity is tooth decay. This decay will eat through the protective outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel, and can eventually start to erode your dentin, which is the inner layer of your teeth. Once decay has reached the inner layer of your tooth, it will spread quickly—which can lead to more serious issues.
There are several types of cavities. For instance, if you have a cavity on your chewing surface, or between your teeth, you could have a coronal cavity. You could have a root cavity if your roots are exposed to decay. Finally, you could have recurrent decay, which is decay that forms around existing crowns or fillings.
While our team can help you fill a cavity, there are also a number of things you can consider doing to avoid tooth decay in the first place. We recommend setting up an appointment with our dentist once every six months. Of course, you should also brush and floss your teeth regularly and avoid eating too many sugary foods.
If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact Johnson Ranch Dental at 916-784-1700. Dr. Wong and our team will be happy to answer any question you may have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.