Cavities in West Lawn, Chicago, IL

Kids and adults of all ages can suffer from cavities due to poor brushing or flossing habits. Worse yet, cavities can sometimes go undetected for months at a time. If a person isn’t regularly scheduling their 6-month cleaning and checkup, they could have cavities, and other dental issues, that they don’t even know about. While they may not be painful at first, if left untreated, a cavity can become a serious (and uncomfortable) problem.

What Are Cavities?

A cavity is just how it sounds: It’s when bacteria, often caused by leaving sugary or acidic foods on your teeth for too long, begin eating through your tooth’s enamel, leaving a hole in your tooth. Under the enamel is the core of your tooth, known as dentine. When the cavity begins growing and eating through the dentine layer, it weakens the structural integrity of your tooth.

If a cavity is allowed to continue getting larger, it can lead to a broken or fractured tooth. It can also lead to you needing a root canal, as eventually, the cavity will get through the dentine and to the pulp of your tooth. This exposes the sensitive nerves of your tooth to the elements and leaves a hole for food and beverages to get into, causing further damage. A root canal will need to be carried out if you leave your cavity untreated and an infection begins to fester.

Fortunately, you don’t have to go through any of this! Regular visits to Advanced Family Dental will allow your dentist to spot cavities early, allowing you to avoid the need to get a filling at all. But, if you already have a cavity, it’s important you get it filled sooner rather than later to avoid bigger problems–including root canals, gum disease, and even tooth loss–down the road. If you haven’t visited the dentist for a regular checkup, schedule an appointment today and let our dentist in West Lawn, Chicago help keep your smile healthy.