
Your dentist will examine the damage to your tooth and identify the type of cavity. If you suspect you have a cavity, you should visit your local dentist. When it comes to these types of cavities, it’s best to leave their treatment to a professional. That's why it's important to fix a root cavity as soon as it's detected. The damage root cavities cause spreads quickly because the cementum that covers a tooth's root isn't as tough as enamel. In severe cases, when the decay has spread to the tooth's pulp, root canal treatment may be advised. The cavity is then replaced with a filling or crown. Removing the decay is the first step in treating root cavities. This is because they aren't covered in the same hard, protective enamel that teeth have. That leaves them vulnerable to tooth decay. When gums recede, the roots are left exposed. This is also the demographic most likely to have receding gums and other gum disorders. They most often occur among older adults. Root cavities are located on the surface of the roots of the teeth. However, if your cavity progresses this far, you’ll need to go to the dentist for a filling. Keep in mind, it takes some time for tooth decay to eat through the enamel on the teeth's smooth surfaces. Fluoride-rich toothpaste and regular dental flossing using the correct technique should be enough to restore your oral health. Smooth-surface cavities are the easiest for dentists to treat. Just like pit and fissure cavities, smooth surface cavities also occur when people don’t brush correctly or regularly. These are some of the slowest-growing cavities and are also the least common. They are most commonly found on the teeth at the sides of the mouth. Smooth-surface cavities occur on the flat exterior surface of the teeth. Both can be provided by your local dentist. And a large pit and fissure cavity will most likely need a crown. However, once the cavity reaches the dentin a dentist must remove the decay before treating the cavity.Ī small or medium cavity requires fillings or composites. Luckily, fluoride toothpaste can get rid of an early pit and fissure cavity quickly. If caught early, these types of cavities are easily treated. Stuck food and plaque combined with poor dental hygiene often lead to a pit and fissure cavity. Pit and fissure cavities often form because of food particles or plaque that gets stuck in the grooves and crevices on the top of the teeth. You'll find pit and fissure cavities on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Based on where a cavity can form, there are three types of cavities: The type of cavity depends on the location of the hole on the tooth. And over a quarter of the population has some form of untreated tooth decay. More than 90% of American adults have cavities. But bacteria in your mouth, trauma to your teeth, and sipping sugary drinks can also affect the frequency and severity of the cavities that form.Īnd they’re common. Most commonly, it’s a lack of dental hygiene. There are various reasons why cavities develop. Ultimately, an ignored cavity can lead to the loss of your tooth. An untreated cavity can result in severe pain and further infection. This permanently damaged area isn’t painless either. The bigger hole the cavity causes, the more layers of your tooth are affected.

It’s an opening on the hard surface of your enamel that constantly expands unless it’s treated. Here are the three types of cavities, what causes them, and the possible treatment options that can get you fast relief.Ī cavity (also called tooth decay or caries) is a hole in your tooth. When you suspect a cavity, it’s important to know what type of cavity it is, so it can be treated effectively.

Published On: MaYour Personal Guide to Fighting Tooth DecayĬavities aren’t just annoying, they’re a very serious problem that should be solved as quickly as possible.
