Find out more about one of the most common dental issues that affect both children and adults.

You’ve probably heard the word cavity before. This is a very common disorder that affects the health of your teeth. But, what is it exactly and what kind of impact does it have on your smile? Our Rochester Hills, MI dentists Dr. Debra Hibbeln and Dr. Mark Kowal have the answers.

What is a cavity?

In essence, a cavity is a hole in the tooth that continues to grow if left untreated. You may also hear cavities called by another name: dental caries. But no matter what they are called they can cause quite a bit of destruction in their wake if you don’t turn to our Rochester Hills general dentist for treatment.

So, why does a cavity form in the first place?

The issue is plaque. This sticky film that is made up of bacteria is responsible for your decay. The bacteria on your teeth loves sugar so whenever you eat anything with sugar it turns that sugar into acid. And as you can imagine, acid will eat away at even the strongest tooth enamel.

What happens if I don’t treat my cavity?

If you never go to the dentist, particularly for your routine cleanings, then you’ll more than likely find yourself dealing with some pretty nasty cavities (or worse!) down the road. If left untreated, the acids that we mentioned before will continue to eat away at the tooth until it reaches the inside, where internal structures of the tooth will start to decay. This is usually when a toothache sets in because the decay has already affected the nerves of the tooth.

Through X-rays and a physical exam, we will be able to determine the severity of your cavity and also whether you will need a dental filling or root canal treatment. Cavities are easily removed by drilling out the decayed enamel of the tooth and then filling up the hole with a special tooth-colored resin. This procedure can easily be performed right here in our office in just one visit.

Don’t let cavities scare you. Arm yourself with a great oral care routine and make sure to visit Hibbeln & Kowal Dental in Rochester Hills every six months if you want to keep your smile looking its best.