"One of the best dental groups in the DMV!" — Mark N.

Proper Dental Care: Why Do Cavities Hurt and How are They Treated?

If you have cavities, you’re not alone!  

A 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than 90% of adults in the US have had a cavity. The report also stated that 25% of adults have untreated cavities. ***

As we have stated in previous blog posts about dental care, a cavity is tooth decay, which occurs when the tooth enamel is destroyed. This happens when oral bacteria eat sugar in your mouth producing an acid that dissolves the minerals in your teeth. 

Cavities form between teeth, along the gum line, in fillings, and the pits and grooves in the teeth at the back of the mouth. If cavities aren’t treated, decay may spread to other teeth. Eventually, the worst-case scenario is when they get into the tooth’s pulp, which requires root canal therapy. Teeth that have decayed for many years and that cannot be saved have to be extracted. 

If your diet consists of milk, ice cream, sugary snacks (candy bars, chocolates, cookies, etc.) honey, sodas, mints, dry cereals, and potato chips, then you are a candidate for cavities because saliva doesn’t wash them away. These snacks tend to cling to teeth. If you snack or sip on these, your mouth bacteria produce acids that wear the enamel down. Sipping sodas or daily mochas continually drench teeth causing them to decay. 

Unfortunately, cavities are not always treated immediately with the proper dental care. They do cause pain and there are complications: 

  • sharp or throbbing pain 
  • broken teeth 
  • abscesses
  • swollen teeth 
  • pus 
  • chewing problems

You may eventually experience tooth loss, weight loss, daily pain, and in rare instances, death. Cavities must be taken seriously! 

There are several treatments for cavities, both at home and from your dentist: 

  1. Use fluoride toothpaste: Always brush your teeth at least twice a day and after every meal. Use fluoride-containing toothpaste and floss them regularly.
  2. Rinse your mouth using a fluoride rinse. 
  3. Visit your dentist twice a year for teeth cleanings. Your dentist can do regular oral exams and teeth cleanings every six months. This is the best cavity and tooth decay prevention you can do as your dentist will find issues with your teeth early and recommend treatment. 
  4. Drink water straight from the tap. Public water supplies have fluoride, which reduces tooth decay. (Bottled water doesn’t have fluoride.) 
  5. Eat healthy snacks such as carrots, crackers, and cheeses or other non-sugary foods. Limit your weekly consumption of sodas and fancy coffee drinks. 

If you are having pain in your teeth, please don’t delay a dental examination. As we’ve seen, failure to get a thorough dental examination may lead to even more dental issues. Contact your dentist and get the treatments you need. 

All Smiles Bethesda has experienced dentists and dental hygienists who can give you and your family the dental care you need. We would like to help you maintain your teeth and treat dental issues at their beginning stages versus their advanced stages. If you would like to schedule an appointment for you or your family, please call us at 301-984-9646 or email us at info@allsmilesbethesda.com or lorraine@allsmilesbethesda.com

We serve the North Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, MD, and Washington, DC areas.

*** For more information on cavities, visit the CDC website

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