What Is a Cavity?
A cavity (also called tooth decay or dental caries) is a hole in your tooth caused by bacteria. The bacteria feed on sugars and produce acid, which slowly dissolves enamel. Once the enamel is breached, decay spreads faster into the softer dentin underneath.
Left untreated, a cavity progresses to:
- Enamel decay — small, painless white or brown spot
- Dentin decay — sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold
- Pulp infection — constant pain, often worse at night
- Abscess — swelling, fever, serious health risk
The earlier we treat it, the simpler and cheaper the fix.
Signs You May Have a Cavity
- Tooth sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold foods
- Visible dark spots, white spots, or holes
- Toothache or pain when biting
- Rough edges you can feel with your tongue
- Food consistently getting stuck in one spot
- Bad breath or bad taste
Many early cavities have no symptoms at all. That's why regular checkups every 6 months matter — we catch them when a filling is all you need.
How We Treat Cavities
Small cavity → Tooth-colored filling. We numb the area, remove the decay, and fill the space with a composite resin that matches your tooth color. Usually under 30 minutes per tooth. Done in one visit.
Medium cavity → Inlay or onlay. For larger cavities on back teeth, we use a custom-made porcelain or composite restoration that's stronger and longer-lasting than a standard filling.
Large cavity → Dental crown. When too much tooth structure is lost, a crown covers and protects the tooth. We place a temporary crown at the first visit and the permanent one at the second.
Cavity into the nerve → Root canal + crown. If the decay has reached the pulp (nerve), we remove the infected tissue, seal the canal, and cover with a crown.
Why Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Silver amalgam fillings were the standard for decades, but composite (tooth-colored) fillings have become the preferred choice because they:
- Match the natural color of your teeth
- Bond directly to tooth structure, preserving more of the original tooth
- Contain no mercury
- Require less drilling than amalgam
- Set immediately
Preventing Future Cavities
- Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, 2 minutes each time
- Floss once daily — cavities often start between teeth
- Limit sugary drinks and sticky snacks, especially between meals
- Drink water throughout the day (especially fluoridated tap water)
- Get checkups and cleanings every 6 months
- Consider dental sealants for children's molars
- Ask about prescription-strength fluoride if you're prone to decay