Will a Cavity Go Away?

You bite into a cold apple and feel a sudden twinge in your tooth. You might wonder to yourself whether you have a cavity or, more importantly, whether it can disappear on its own with the right oral healthcare.

A cavity won’t go away on its own once it has formed a hole in your tooth, but you can reverse the earliest stages of tooth decay, before it becomes a full cavity. The secret is daily habits and good dental care.

The Battle Between Acids & Minerals

When you eat or drink foods with sugar or starches—like cookies, bread, or soda—certain bacteria in your mouth feed on leftover bits of food and create acids as a byproduct. These acids attack the hard outer layer of your tooth, the enamel, and leech minerals away. This is called demineralization.

On the other side of things, your saliva works to put those minerals back, with a little help from fluoride. This natural repair process is called remineralization. Your oral health often depends on the balance between these two actions.

From White Spot to Full Cavity

If your teeth are exposed to acid attacks too often, your enamel loses minerals faster than it can get them back. This mineral loss can create a chalky white spot on your tooth, and is a sign of early tooth decay.

At this point, the damage may be reversible, because the surface of your tooth is still intact. However, if the process continues, your enamel will gradually get weaker until a hole forms. That hole is a cavity, which is permanent damage that needs professional attention.

How to Spot a Potential Cavity

In its very early stages, you might not notice any signs of tooth decay. As tooth decay progresses, however, you may start to see or feel changes in your tooth. It’s helpful to know what to look for between dental visits.

What to Look For

You can sometimes spot the signs of a cavity just by looking at your teeth in the mirror. Look for anything that seems different from the rest of your tooth’s surface. Keep an eye out for these visual cues:

• A white, chalky area on your tooth
• Light brown, dark brown, or black spots
• A visible pit or hole

What You Might Feel

Not all cavities cause discomfort, especially when they’re small. However, as decay gets closer to the inner layers of the tooth, you might experience some new sensations. These can include:

• Nothing at all, especially with very small cavities
• Sensitivity or mild pain when you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold
• Pain when you bite down
• A persistent toothache, which may require urgent dental care

Reverse Early Tooth Decay at Home

If you catch tooth decay in its earliest stage you may be able to stop and even reverse it. This involves helping your enamel repair itself before a permanent cavity forms. Your daily routine plays a big role here.

The Role of Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect your teeth in two ways. First, it prevents mineral loss from your enamel and helps replace minerals that have been lost. Using a fluoride toothpaste is a simple and effective way to help your teeth, as fluoride is a key mineral for strengthening enamel.

Smart Food & Drink Choices

Limiting snacks and drinks that are high in sugar and starches reduces the number of acid attacks on your teeth. When you eat, try to stick to mealtimes rather than snacking throughout the day. This gives your saliva more time to repair your enamel.

Your Daily Oral Care Routine

Following a proper daily oral care routine is your first line of defense.

Brushing your teeth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste helps remove the sticky film of acid-producing bacteria (most commonly known as plaque). Flossing once a day is also important for cleaning away plaque and food trapped between your teeth.

Tooth Decay in Children

Kids’ teeth are also at risk for cavities. However, good habits make a big difference for their future oral health. A positive approach to dental care, which you can learn more about in our dental health articles, can set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Tips for Parents

Supervise young children when they brush to make sure they use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and spit it out afterward. It’s also helpful to limit sugary snacks and drinks, including fruit juice, between meals. 

Model good oral health habits for them to follow.

What About Dental Sealants?

One great protective measure is dental sealants. A sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, or molars. It works by forming a smooth barrier over the natural pits and grooves of the tooth, which prevents food and bacteria from getting stuck and causing decay.

When You Need to See a Dentist

While you can reverse the earliest signs of decay, a true cavity will not go away on its own. Once the enamel has a hole in it, professional dental care is needed to fix the damage. Acting sooner rather than later can keep the solution simple.

Why a Cavity Won’t Heal on Its Own

A cavity is permanent damage to the tooth. Unlike other parts of your body, your tooth can’t regrow the structure it has lost. If left untreated, the decay will spread deeper into the tooth, which can lead to more pain, infection, or even tooth loss.

Dental Treatments for Cavities

If you have a cavity, your dentist will clean out the decay and repair the tooth. This is often done with a filling, which fills the hole and restores the tooth’s shape and function. For larger cavities, a crown might be used to cover and protect the damaged tooth.

The Importance of Regular Check-ups

Routine visits to a dentist are an important part of your oral health routine. 

During a check-up, our dental team in Grand Prairie can spot the early signs of decay and help you stop it from becoming a cavity. Professional cleanings also remove hardened plaque that you can’t get with your brush at home.

Book Your Next Dental Appointment

Your smile is a gift that can last a lifetime with the right care. If you have questions about your oral health or think you might have a cavity, our team at Generations Dental is ready to provide you with a relaxed and personalized dental experience.

We are accepting new patients. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and let us help you maintain your optimal oral health for years to come.