How a cavity actually forms
It starts when bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars and starches left on your teeth, producing acid as a byproduct. That acid slowly wears away your enamel, creating a small hole that keeps growing if left alone. Poor brushing habits, frequent snacking, sugary drinks, and skipping checkups all speed this up.
Symptoms worth paying attention to-
How a filling fixes it
A filling does exactly what it sounds like — your dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth and fills the gap with a durable material, restoring its shape and stopping the decay from spreading. It’s usually a quick, single-visit procedure done under local anesthesia, with most patients back to normal eating within a few hours.
Silver or white?
Silver amalgam fillings are strong and budget-friendly, often used on back teeth. Tooth-colored composite fillings blend naturally with your smile, making them popular for visible front teeth. Your dentist will suggest the best option based on where the cavity is and how it looks.
Keeping new cavities away
Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, cutting back on sugary snacks, and keeping up with checkups are still the best defense — catching decay before it needs a filling at all is always the easiest path.