How to Prevent Cavities from Getting Worse

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So You Found a Cavity—Here’s What to Do Next.

Discovering a cavity can be a frightening moment. If you’re here looking for next steps, you’ve come to the right place. Learning more about your condition—and how to prevent cavities from getting worse—is the first step to improving your dental health. 

Cavities start out as tiny holes in the teeth caused by tooth decay. Without treatment, those small holes can become much bigger problems, usually in the form of pain and infection. In severe cases, failure to act can lead to tooth loss.

While a cavity won’t heal on its own, there are ways to potentially slow down its progression until your dental appointment. Practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding sugary foods, and keeping the area clean can help protect the tooth from further damage. It’s important to remember, however, that the only way to stop decay and restore the tooth is with professional dental treatment.

Here’s what you should know about cavities and how to put the brakes on tooth decay until professional hands can take over.

5 Signs You Have a Cavity

Cavities don’t always cause noticeable symptoms. You may not even know you have a cavity until it becomes a more serious problem, which is why it’s important to schedule regular checkups with your dentist. Dentists can spot cavities when they first develop—before they cause serious issues with your dental health. 

If you think you have a cavity, there are some signs you can look for, including: 

1. Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food and drink 
2. Visible holes or dark spots on your teeth 
3. Pain when chewing or biting down 
4. Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth 
5. Swelling or tenderness in the gums around a specific tooth 

If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a checkup with your dentist as soon as possible. The earlier you address the problem, the better. 

What Happens if a Cavity Gets Worse?

Cavities progress in stages. The longer they go untreated, the more severe the damage becomes. In the early stages, the decay is confined to the tooth’s visible outer layer: the enamel. Most people don’t experience noticeable symptoms in this early stage. 

If untreated, decay moves deeper into the tooth, permeating a layer underneath the enamel called the dentin. During this stage, you might experience sensitivity and discomfort, particularly when eating or drinking cold or sweet foods. 

Eventually, the cavity can reach the tooth’s pulp, where the nerves and blood vessels are located. Once the cavity reaches this layer, the risk of developing an infection is higher—and it’s also a lot more painful. This stage is when your dentist may need to use more advanced treatments like root canals to fix the cavity and protect your dental health. 

What Should You Do About Cavities?

There isn’t much you can do to stop a cavity once it starts. Ultimately, the most effective way to prevent a cavity from getting worse is to seek professional care. While caring for the tooth may help mitigate damage, the cavity will continue to progress until professionally treated. 

Stopping or slowing a cavity’s progression isn’t really possible without the help of a dentist, especially if they are already through the enamel on your teeth. The best thing to do is prevent cavities from starting in the first place. You can do this by: 

1. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. 
2. Flossing daily to clean places where your toothbrush can’t. 
3. Using a fluoride rinse to strengthen tooth enamel. 
4. Limiting sugary and acidic foods that erode enamel. 
5. Drinking water to wash away food particles and neutralize acids in your mouth. 
6. Chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, which washes away bacteria and food particles.

These tips should sound familiar—they are fundamental dental hygiene habits that protect teeth from all kinds of concerns, including decay and gum disease. Establishing a daily oral hygiene routine is key to long-term dental health. 

When to See a Dentist About a Cavity

Even if you are following excellent oral hygiene practices, a dentist is the only one who can properly treat a cavity and prevent it from getting worse in the long term.

If you have a cavity, your dentist will likely recommend treatments such as: 

• Fluoride treatments: Fluoride helps remineralize your enamel and prevent tooth decay. It’s an effective treatment for early-stage cavities.
• Dental fillings: Fillings are used to restore the tooth and prevent further damage when decay has progressed beyond the enamel layer. 
• Crowns: If the cavity is too large for a filling, a crown can help protect and strengthen the tooth to restore functionality.  

Catching cavities early on gives you and your dentist more treatment options and prevents more invasive and expensive treatments later. So, if you think you may have a cavity, get in touch with your dentist as early as reasonably possible.

Get Expert Care for Cavities at Full Heart Dentistry

With the right dental hygiene at home, you may be able to prevent a cavity from getting worse—at least, for a while. Still, fixing a cavity will always require treatment from a dentist. 

If you suspect you have a cavity, don’t wait—our experienced dental team is here to help with gentle, effective treatments. Full Heart Dentistry offers proactive, compassionate dental care that will help you protect your smile, even if it’s been a while since your last check-up. 

Call us today to schedule an appointment. We will check for cavities and create a treatment plan that keeps your smile sparkling.