Do you believe in cavities?

Question

I stopped believing dentists cure cavities, and started to think cavities cure themselves. Given you stick to one decent brand of toothpaste three times a day, mouthwash and good food without too much sugar - the coating on your teeth will remain strong, cavities might appear and disappear..
My teeth look excellent, but my last dentist appointment was in the year 2000. So.. DO you still believe, or is it a money spindling scam?

When cavities go really bad, you might need root canal treatment, I know. But wouldn't cavities hurt first?

Answer 1

Cavities are when there is a crack in the enemel in your tooth surface thats works its way down to the nerve. they are real and can be a serious health risk. The bacteria and germs that enter in cavities can pass to the blood system and cause heart disease and prematurity.

Answer 2

Some cavities are reversible. They can remineralize themselves with fluoride treatments. Not all cavities do that. ONce the cavity reaches the under-layer of tooth (the dentin) It will continue to progress until taken care of by way of filling, root canal, or extraction. Also, dental cavities represent a disease process, and cavities can spread from tooth to tooth. A bacterial infection (which can spread) is present in the tooth, causing the decay.

The best way to spend the least amount of money at the dentist is to go every 6 months for your checkups to make sure everything is OK, that way, nothing blows up and turns into an expensive problem.

Answer 3

There is no cure for a cavity - it is a hole that needs to be filled.

There is a way to prevent the disease that causes cavities (the disease is called caries). If the early signs of caries are caught soon enough, your dentist can apply a highly concentrated flouride varnish to your teeth and remineralize the tooth so the bacteria doesn't continue to feed on the sugars from the carbohydrates we eat.

The best way to prevent caries is to keep the bacteria in your mouth in balance - do this by limiting the frequency of carbohydrates into the mouth (not just sweets - potato chips contain carbohydrates, which is what the caries-causing bacteria feeds on), and cleaning the teeth at least twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.

Answer 4

Cavities can't cure themselves. They will only get worse to the point that your whole tooth rots. A long time ago I didn't go to the dentist for about ten years. I didn't have any cavities and took good care of my teeth, but finally I had to go because my gums were becoming swollen and red. Turns out I had gingivitis. From there on I visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings and have still not had a cavity.

Answer 5

Cavities are real. They are the same as getting another "injury". For example, a broken arm is broken whether you believe in it or not. A burn may heal itself but is still burned.

Cavities are the erosion/destruction of tooth material and cannot heal themselves much as the loss of a limb cannot regenerate. The teeth are able to rebuild themselves to some degree, but it's improbable that if you have a cavity of any significance it would "go away."

On the other hand, you are correct that adequate nutrition (calcium, in particular, I would imagine) and proper hygiene can keep the dentist away more so than not.

Dentists don't "cure" cavities. They fill them to replace the lost and damaged tooth components.

Answer 6

One believes or disbelieves in the tooth fairy.

Once a cavity begins it does not disappear. It may not hurt and it may not escalate but that is rare. Some people never get a cavity, for whatever reason.

For the rest of us, a cavity occurs when some form of bacteria penetrates tooth enamel. The discoloration, the hole in the tooth may remain small permanently. But, the decay going on inside the tooth continues. Decay turns the hard tissue of the tooth to a spongy type of substance. When enough of your tooth is spongy inside your tooth will break apart. Or, if the spongy decay reaches the nerve, you will be in pain.

Six years without seeing a dentist is a long time. In six more years your teeth, and your gum tissue, may require extensive and expensive restoration and ongoing treatment for the rest of your life.

Answer 7

There's no cure, there's only prevention. Teeth do rot and need to be taken care of, but recently I learned that metal fillings are not good for you. Don't think I'm a tree-hugging hippie or anything, but I think that a holistic dentist is the best. I just learned this so I haven't really had time to go out and look for one. I also found out that fluoride in toothpaste and water is poisonous and we shouldn't put it in our mouths or bodies. I think that baking soda is the best, unless you can find a brand of toothpaste without fluoride. I don't think dentists are a scam, actually, but I do believe that they shouldn't do the things to you that they do. They are in business to make money, and they are going to finds ways to get you to come back over and over.

Answer 8

Dentists don't "cure" cavities, they fill them. They don't disappear by themselves. If you have some, see a dentist. You know it makes sense! However, try to avoid mercury amalgam fillings. They are probably the cheapest, but mercury is not good for you and you might end up like me: mad as a barn pot.

Answer 9

Cavities don't disappear.

You can avoid getting cavities, sure. But when you get them, they won't just go away.

There are also other potential problems like gingivitis that can pop up. All in all, it's a good idea to see your dentist twice a year because then you can catch most problems before they become much worse.

Answer 10

I would say you have been lucky. Once a cavity has started in a tooth, it cannot be cured. I suggest that you have good strong enamel and you do a good job of caring for your teeth and general health. I have had many cavities -- take it from me, if you don't get them taken care of, they HURT !!!!