Why teeth matter more than most people think
Teeth are used all day—biting breakfast, talking in class, smiling in photos. When a tooth hurts, it is hard to think about anything else. Cavities are the most common reason a tooth starts to ache. A cavity is a small hole that keeps growing if nothing is done about it. The good news is that cavities move slowly at first, and simple steps can stop them or keep them tiny. Knowing what causes them makes the fixes much easier.
What a cavity actually is
A tooth has a hard shell on the outside called enamel. Under that is a softer layer named dentin, and deeper inside is the nerve, which feels pain. A cavity begins when germs in the mouth eat sugar and leave acid behind. The acid pulls minerals out of enamel. This weakens the shell and turns a smooth surface into a chalky spot. If that spot keeps getting hit by acid, it turns into a hole. Once the hole reaches dentin, a person may feel pain, cold sensitivity, or a sharp twinge when chewing.
If a friendly, trusted clinic is needed for a check and clean, a place such as Mandurah Dental Surgery can be a smart first step for routine exams and early cavity care.
Why cavities start in the first place
Cavities need three things to start: germs, sugar, and time. The mouth always has germs. That is normal. Sugar is the fuel they use. Not only candy—soft drinks, juice, sports drinks, sweet tea, even crackers and white bread break down into sugars. Every time these foods or drinks are sipped or nibbled, the germs make acid for about 20 to 30 minutes afterward. If there are many “snack moments” during the day, acid attacks keep stacking up. The longer the acid sits on teeth, the more damage happens.
Saliva helps. It washes acid away and brings minerals back to enamel. This is called repair, and it starts on its own. Fluoride in toothpaste helps this repair process work better and faster. When repair beats damage, the tooth stays strong. When damage wins, a cavity forms.
Early signs most people miss
Cavities do not always hurt at first. Early signs are small and easy to miss:
• A white, chalky patch on the side of a tooth near the gum line.
• A brown spot that does not brush off.
• Sensitivity to cold water or sweet foods.
• Food catching in the same tiny groove again and again.
If any of these show up, a check-up is worth it. Small cavities are simple to treat. Large ones take more work, and the tooth may need a crown or even a root canal if the nerve gets infected.
What dentists do to fix a cavity
Dentists start by checking the whole mouth. They look for soft spots, sticky grooves, and areas where plaque builds up. Small X-rays are often taken to see between teeth. If a cavity is still only in enamel, the dentist may try “watch and repair,” which means improving home care and adding fluoride so the tooth can heal on its own. When a hole has formed, the dentist removes the decayed part and places a filling to seal the area. Modern fillings match the tooth shade and set fast.
If decay reaches the nerve, the tooth can throb, swell, or wake a person up at night. In those cases, the dentist cleans the inside of the tooth in a root canal and then caps it with a crown to keep it strong. This sounds scary, but pain relief comes quickly, and people are usually surprised by how routine it feels once it starts.
Daily habits that block cavities
Good news: small changes add up. These are the habits that protect enamel every day.
Brush well, two times a day. Use a pea-size squeeze of fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush. Aim the bristles at the edge where the tooth meets the gum. Move in small circles. Two minutes is the goal—about 30 seconds per corner of the mouth.
Clean between teeth once a day. Floss, floss picks, or a tiny interdental brush all work. Between teeth is where many cavities start, because bristles cannot reach there.
Rinse or sip water after sugar. If a sweet drink is on the menu, have it with a meal. When the cup is empty, follow with water. Water dilutes acid and clears it from the mouth.
Save sweets for one time, not all day. A dessert with lunch causes one acid wave. Sipping a sweet drink over an hour causes many waves. Fewer waves mean less damage.
Choose tooth-friendly snacks. Cheese, nuts, yogurt, crunchy veggies, and plain popcorn are helpful options. They do not cling to teeth or feed germs much.
Use fluoride. Fluoride makes enamel harder and helps it repair. For higher risk mouths, a dentist may suggest a fluoride gel, varnish, or a high-fluoride paste used at night.
Consider sealants. The back teeth have deep grooves where food sticks. A thin sealant can cover those grooves so acid cannot get in. This is quick and painless.
Sports, braces, and other special cases
Mouthguards protect teeth during contact sports. They also help prevent chips and cracks that can turn into decay if left rough. For people who wear braces, food can hide under wires and around brackets. A small “proxy brush” and a water flosser help reach those spots. For dry mouth caused by some medicines or long study sessions with mouth breathing, sip water often and use sugar-free gum to trigger saliva. Saliva matters more than most people think—it is the body’s own defense system for teeth.
Myths that cause trouble
There are a few ideas that lead people in the wrong direction.
“Baby teeth are not important.” Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and help with speech and chewing. If they get infected, the child hurts and may need urgent care. Keeping them healthy matters.
“Fruit juice is healthy, so it is safe for teeth.” Juice has acid and sugar. For teeth, water is better. If juice is served, keep it with food and in small amounts.
“Hard brushing cleans better.” Gentle brushing with a soft brush cleans best. Hard brushing can wear away enamel and make gums sore or recede.
“The mouthwash will fix it.” Mouthwash can help with breath and reduce germs, but it cannot drill out decay. If there is a hole, a filling is needed.
When to book a check-up
Regular exams catch small problems early. A good rhythm for many people is a visit every six months, but some need more frequent care. Soreness that lasts more than a day, sudden sensitivity, a chipped tooth, or a broken filling are all signs to call a dentist soon. Waiting rarely helps. Teeth do not heal the way skin does. The earlier the visit, the simpler the fix.
A simple plan that works
Keeping teeth safe does not need to be complex. A short, clear plan fits into any day:
• Brush in the morning and before bed with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between teeth once a day.
• Drink water often; save sweets for mealtimes.
• See a dentist on a regular schedule.
Set alarms on a phone if that helps build the routine. Put floss where it can be seen. Small cues make it easy to remember.
Key takeaways and next steps
Cavities are common, but they are not a mystery. Germs use sugar to make acid, and acid weakens enamel. Spreading sweet drinks and snacks through the day gives cavities a head start. Brushing with fluoride, cleaning between teeth, sipping water, and keeping treats to mealtimes protect enamel and keep repairs going. Regular check-ups catch small problems before they grow.
Choose one change today, even a tiny one. Swap one sweet drink for water. Add floss right before bed. Set a reminder for a check-up that has been put off. Teeth do a lot each day; a few steady habits return the favor.
