What Are Cavities?

Poor dental hygiene can result in tooth decay, also known as cavities. Learn how cavities form and how to protect your teeth against decay.

Reasons to Brush Your Teeth

Whenever a person eats or drinks, food and liquid, which contain sugar and starches, are often left behind on the teeth. Bacteria, which also live in the mouth, combines with the left-over food substances and forms acid.

How Do Cavities Form?

The acid can eventually destroy the protective enamel covering on the teeth, causing holes or cavities, called tooth decay. Tooth decay can lead to infection, causing pain and inflammation.

Preventing Cavities

Regular brushing and flossing helps rid the mouth of remaining food particles and helps reduce the risk for tooth decay. It is also important to receive regular dental check-ups.

Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical.