Cavity Myths That Have Been Debunked By Science

Cavities are common oral health conditions that can develop at any age. In fact, most people develop cavities at some point during their lifetime, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also known as dental caries or tooth decay, there are some misunderstandings about these oral health diseases that may hinder efforts towards preventing and treating them. To that end, it's important to know the myths surrounding the causes, risk factors, and symptoms of cavities that have been scientifically disproven.

A cavity is a permanent hole that develops in a tooth. This happens when bacteria in your mouth produce excess acid that destroys enamel. The presence of these bacteria is normal and essential in breaking down foods like starches and sugars, and saliva can help to keep excess acids at bay. Yet sometimes this process does not occur in time. As a result, the acid can break down enamel before it has an opportunity to repair itself. Subsequently, bacteria can enter the affected tooth and form a cavity.

While the science behind cavities is pretty straightforward, some of the causes and risk factors have fueled confusion and myths. For one, while sugary beverages and sticky foods can certainly increase your risk of cavities, it's a myth you're totally immune to cavities if you avoid such items. A lack of saliva in the mouth from certain medications or health conditions can make the teeth vulnerable to acids that may lead to cavities. What's more, a lack of dental hygiene practices, such as not flossing daily and not using fluoride-containing toothpaste can also make teeth more vulnerable to cavity formation, regardless of your diet. You also should refrain from brushing immediately after every meal.

When you think of cavity symptoms, you might imagine excruciating mouth pain. Yet this level of pain doesn't typically occur until the cavity has significantly progressed and grown near nerves inside the tooth. At this point, the cavity may cause a serious infection and an abscessed tooth. Though rare, an untreated tooth infection may even be deadly.

With this in mind, it is a myth (and a dangerous one) that you have to be experiencing mouth pain in order for there to be a cavity. Unfortunately, once bacteria enters the tooth, the resulting cavity will only keep growing larger until the bacteria is removed. The goal is to treat a cavity before it causes such issues. Other possible complications related to delayed treatments include tooth loss, as well as issues with eating, drinking, and, in children, talking.

It's also a myth that cavities on baby teeth do not require treatment. On the contrary, a cavity that forms on a baby tooth will still cause uncomfortable symptoms that impact daily life. These cavities can also affect the adult teeth underneath, and continue to cause potentially harmful complications.

Since the early stages of cavities are asymptomatic, you won't be able to detect one on your own. This is why regular dental check-ups are so critical. A dentist can diagnose and treat possible cavities before they have a chance to grow and progress into more serious conditions. Depending on the size of the cavity, a dentist will likely recommend using fluoride-containing products at home to stop a smaller cavity from progressing. Larger cavities, on the other hand, will require deeper cleaning and a filling.