Cavity. That's the word no one wants to hear at the dentist's office. A cavity (say: ka-vuh-tee) develops when a tooth decays (say: dih-kaze), or breaks down. A cavity is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called dental caries (say: kar-eez), and if you have a cavity, it's important to get it repaired.

But why would your tooth develop a hole? Blame plaque. That's a sticky, slimy substance made up mostly of the germs that cause tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel (say: ih-na-mul).

If you don't go to the dentist, the acids can continue to make their way through the enamel, and the inside parts of your tooth can begin to decay. If you've ever had a toothache or heard an adult complain about one, it may have been because there was a cavity that reached all the way inside a tooth, where the nerve endings are. Ouch!

Your dentist will carefully examine your teeth and may take X-rays. If your dentist discovers a cavity, he or she can repair it for you by first removing the rotted part of your tooth with a special drill. The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with a special material. The result is called a filling.

Does it hurt? Sometimes it does, but your dentist can give you an anesthestic. That's a kind of medicine that will numb the area around the problem tooth while you're getting your new filling.

Cavity Prevention Tips

Though cavities can be repaired, try to avoid them by taking care of your teeth. Here's how:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after every meal or at least twice a day. Bedtime is an important time to brush.
• Brush up and down in a circular motion.
• Gently brush your gums as well to keep them healthy.
• Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food that's stuck between your teeth.
• Limit sweets and sugary drinks, like soda.
• See your dentist twice a year for regular checkups. We hope you'll hear those two wonderful words: "No cavities!"

Reviewed by: Charlie J. Inga, DDS
Date reviewed: November 2011