TOOTH DECAY

Dental Tooth Decay / Cavities
Tooth decay is the most common dental disease that effects all ages; It can start as young as 2 years old. This is why it is recommended for children to come in as soon as they have their first few teeth. Tooth decay starts off when the superficial layer is disrupted by bacteria. The bacteria releases acids that start to destroy the tooth starting from the outside and goes inward towards the nerve. The most common types of cavities are the "in-between" cavities which most people get from not flossing. Cavities can also re-occur under old existing fillings.
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The enamel is the first layer to be effected. If the cavity is just starting out, the enamel may feel soft and have a chalky appearance (incipient caries) this can be detected by a dental instrument and dental x-rays. As it progresses the area will start to change into a darker appearance. This is when it is more apparent, the instrument will fall into the cavitation and become something we call "sticky". If the cavity gets into the more deeper layers (dentin) this is where it can cause irritation to the nerve. We want to stop the decay in the earliest stages possible, this is why regular check ups are beneficial for detecting diseases at the early stages. Cavities can be fixed using resin material (composite), our dental office uses composites to match the shade of your tooth.
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