{"id":494,"date":"2016-05-02T13:06:39","date_gmt":"2016-05-02T13:06:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.premierdentalwaco.com\/blog\/?p=494"},"modified":"2016-05-20T19:45:00","modified_gmt":"2016-05-20T19:45:00","slug":"hey-dentist-in-waco-how-does-a-cavity-develop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premierdentalwaco.com\/blog\/hey-dentist-in-waco-how-does-a-cavity-develop\/","title":{"rendered":"Hey Dentist in Waco, How Does a Cavity Develop?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dentistCavities — if you\u2019ve ever had one, you\u2019d probably like to keep it from happening again. When caught early, these small spots of decay are simple to fix. But when ignored, they can lead to far more serious problems, like infection and even extraction. Knowing how cavities develop can help you improve your dental care to prevent future spots of decay.<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Are Cavities?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Also called dental caries, cavities are a form of tooth decay. More specifically, they\u2019re small holes in the tooth enamel that occur when plaque isn\u2019t thoroughly removed by good brushing and flossing every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Cavities Develop<\/span><\/h3>\n

Certain foods increase the risk for developing cavities. These include carbohydrates — simple sugars — that stick on your teeth. When particles from bread, dried fruits, candy, soda and other sugary substances linger in the mouth, oral bacteria turns these particles into the acids that lead to plaque. And when the plaque isn\u2019t removed every single day, decay is soon to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Peak Years for Cavities<\/span><\/h3>\n

While everyone is vulnerable to cavities, children and older adults are especially at risk for developing tooth decay. For that reason, your dentist may recommend applying dental sealants to a young child\u2019s back teeth, or molars, to protect the chewing surface from cavities. Older patients may require more frequent cleanings and checkups to keep their teeth decay-free. <\/span><\/p>\n

Preventing Cavities Is Easy<\/span><\/h3>\n

No one wants a cavity — and the good news is that they\u2019re fairly easy to prevent with a good dental hygiene routine. What does that include?<\/span><\/p>\n