Dental caries, cavities, or decays are demineralization or weakening of the teeth that cause what is called a “caries lesion.” If the problem is not treated soon, the caries lesion can progress to the point where it can cause a literal hole or cavity, hence its name.
Caries can lead to several problems, such as bad breath, pain, and even loss of the tooth, which is why it is important to keep appropriate dental hygiene habits. This article will talk about the different types of dental caries and how to treat them.
What causes a dental cavity?
Dental cavities tend to be caused by eating sugary foods and not cleaning your teeth enough. Sugar residues on the teeth attract bacteria that turn the sugar into acid, which is what causes the holes and black color in cavities.
Types of dental cavities
According to their place, we have three different types of dental caries: root cavities, pit and fissure cavities, and smooth-surface cavities.
Smooth-surface cavities
When the smooth surface of the tooth is healthy, it is called a sound surface. But as we saw before, the surface can get infected and develop a caries lesion and a cavity. These cavities are mostly found on the teeth at the sides of the mouth and are also the less common and slowest ones to develop.
Pit and fissure cavities
Pit and fissure cavities appear on the chewing part of the teeth. These cavities are more common on the back teeth; they tend to form due to food debris and bad cleaning habits. These cavities are easy to treat if they are spotted early. That is why it is important to visit your dentist at least every six months.
Root cavities
Root cavities are the least frequent type of cavities. They tend to mostly affect old people since they also suffer from receding gums. If spotted early, they can be treated easily, but the patient would need a root canal if the cavity already reached the pulp.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on your dentist’s diagnosis since the treatment will vary according to the magnitude of the tooth’s damage. The severity of dental cavities can be:
Mild cavity: The cavity just started, there is no significant damage to the tooth, so it can be fixed with toothpaste, gels, or special water (fluoride-enriched water).
Small/medium cavity: The cavity has already reached the dentin. In this scenario, the dentist will need to remove the affected part and replace it with a dental filling.
Large cavity: If a cavity is left untreated for a long time, it can reach deeper parts of the tooth, meaning that the patient will need a root canal or a more aggressive treatment.
Severe cavity: Here, the cavity has also reached the roots. By this time, the dentist can only perform a root canal or remove and replace a tooth with a dental implant, a denture, or a bridge.
Where to fix a dental cavity in the Phoenix Metro area?
If you are looking for a place to fix your dental cavities in Phoenix, Arizona, you can come to Somos Dental.
At Somos Dental, we know how to treat any cavities. You can call us at our phone number 623-233-0066, or you can also fill our online form that includes a free first appointment. We have six different locations through the Phoenix Metro area at downtown Phoenix, Desert Sky mall, Avondale, Camelback, Mesa, and Laveen.
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