What Is a Cavity?

• A cavity is what you get from tooth decay -- damage to a tooth. Decay can affect the outer coating of a tooth (called enamel) and the inner layer (called dentin).

Cavity Signs and Symptoms

• The symptoms of a cavity will depend on how large it is and where it is in your mouth. You may not have any symptoms at first. They’ll get worse as the cavity gets larger, including:
  • Pain or a toothache that happens without warning
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Pain when you eat or drink sweet, hot, or cold things
  • Holes or pits in your teeth
  • Black, white, or brown tooth stains
  • Pain when you bite down
  • Cavity Causes and Risk Factors
• When foods with carbohydrates like bread, cereal, milk, soda, fruit, cake, or candy stay on your teeth, they cause decay. The bacteria in your mouth turn them into acids. The bacteria, acid, food debris, and your saliva combine to form plaque, which clings to your teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel, creating holes called cavities.
• Many people think that only children get cavities, but changes in your mouth as you age make them an adult problem, too. As you get older, your gums pull away from your teeth. They can also pull away because of gum disease. This exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque. And if you eat a lot of sugary or high-carb foods, you’re more likely to get cavities.