What Causes Cavities?

Cavities develop when several factors work together over time.

Common causes include:

• Dental plaque bacteria
• Frequent consumption of sugary foods or drinks
• Poor oral hygiene
• Dry mouth
• Deep grooves in the teeth
• Previous cavities
• Frequent snacking

Tooth decay doesn’t occur overnight. It develops gradually as bacteria repeatedly produce acids that weaken the enamel.

Signs and Symptoms

Early cavities often cause no symptoms.

As decay progresses, you may notice:

• Tooth sensitivity to cold, sweets, or heat
• Pain when eating or drinking
• A visible hole or dark spot in the tooth
• Food becoming trapped
• Pain when biting
• A chipped or broken tooth
• Toothache

Because many cavities are painless in their early stages, routine dental examinations are one of the best ways to detect them before they become larger.

How Are Cavities Diagnosed?

During your examination, Dr. Omeltschenko carefully evaluates each tooth for signs of decay.

This may include:

• Clinical examination
• Digital X-rays
• Intraoral photographs
• Evaluation of existing fillings and crowns
• Assessment of your risk for future decay

These tools help identify cavities that may not yet be visible or causing symptoms.

What Happens If a Cavity Is Left Untreated?

Tooth decay does not heal on its own.

Without treatment, a cavity will continue to grow larger and may lead to:

• Increasing tooth sensitivity
• Toothache
• Infection of the nerve
• A dental abscess
• Broken teeth
• Root canal therapy
• Tooth extraction

The earlier a cavity is treated, the more tooth structure can usually be preserved.

Possible Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the size and location of the cavity.

Possible treatment options include:

• Tooth-Colored Fillings – Small to moderate cavities are often treated with durable, natural-looking composite fillings that restore the tooth while preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

• Same-Day Crowns – Larger cavities may weaken the tooth to the point that a filling is no longer the most predictable option. A crown may be recommended to restore strength and reduce the risk of fracture.

• Root Canal Therapy – If decay reaches the nerve of the tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary to remove the infection and save the tooth.

• Tooth Extraction – If the tooth cannot be predictably restored, extraction may be the healthiest long-term option. Replacement options such as dental implants or bridges can then be discussed if appropriate.

Our goal is always to preserve your natural tooth whenever it can be done predictably.

Looking Beyond the Cavity

At Total Dentistry, we don’t simply repair cavities—we also help patients understand why they developed.

Diet, oral hygiene habits, dry mouth, previous dental history, and other risk factors all influence your likelihood of developing future cavities.

By identifying these factors, we can often help reduce the risk of future decay while preserving your natural teeth.