What is a Cavity?
A cavity is a softening of the tooth structure to the point that it results in a physical hole.
It is caused by bacteria living on teeth that break down carbohydrates into acids that destroy tooth structure.
- Decay Process: Teeth begin to decay at a pH of 5.5 (or 4.5 with fluoride present).
- Risk Factors: Multiple risk factors contribute to decay — these may include food type, hereditary factors, tooth anatomy, bacteria, and time.
- Prevention: Ask your dentist about ways to control your individual risk factors.
How Fast Do Cavities Grow? Can They Be Stopped?
- Decay Rate: Depends on each person’s individual risk factors.
- Stopping Early Decay: If damage is only superficial, tooth structure loss can be stopped by controlling risk factors (green circle stage).
- Progression: Once damage reaches the inner parts of the tooth, it continues even if risk factors are controlled (red circle stage).
- Timeline Example:
- Initial Exam: Invisible to naked eye, no discomfort → Plan: medium-large filling → Cost: under $500.
- 1 Year Later: Difficult to see, sometimes discomfort → Plan: root canal + crown → Cost: over $2,000.
- 1.5 Years Later: Visible damage, definite discomfort → Plan: extraction + orthodontics or implant/crown → Cost: over $3,000.
Key Factors in Cavity Formation
- Food (Carbohydrates)
- Hereditary Tooth Factors
- Bacteria
- Time
Bacteria produce acids, toxins, and enzymes that break down tooth structure over time.