Dental Sealants Keep Cavities at Bay

A trip to the dentist should be a pleasant experience. That’s what we want for our kids: happy associations with that twice-annual visit to Spring Creek Dentistry. Nothing ruins the good feeling at a dental visit faster than the dreaded words, “I found a cavity.” A cavity in a baby tooth is bad news, but not the end of the world. A cavity in a newly erupted permanent tooth is more cause for concern.

So what is a cavity? How do they form? And, what can we do to keep them from ever getting started?

What is a Cavity?

Simply, a cavity, also known as dental caries, is a hole in the tooth enamel. A tooth has an outer layer of hard enamel surrounding an inner layer of dentin, which covers the tooth pulp, which contains blood vessels and a nerve. A cavity forms when the enamel is weakened then fails and no longer covers the dentin.

A small cavity can usually be drilled to remove any decayed portion and stop further decay, then filled with strong material, like resin, to re-strengthen the remaining tooth with a tooth-colored filling. A larger cavity might require more extensive drilling and different materials to strengthen it. A very large cavity might need a root canal, where the inside of the tooth is removed and the whole tooth is filled.

How Do Cavities Form?