&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;272&quot; data-end=&quot;332&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Are Cavities? (Your Teeth&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;Ouch Spots&amp;rdquo;)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;334&quot; data-end=&quot;508&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Have you ever noticed a tiny &lt;em data-start=&quot;363&quot; data-end=&quot;369&quot;&gt;spot&lt;/em&gt; on a tooth &amp;mdash; or suddenly felt a tingle when you sip something cold? That might be your tooth telling you it&amp;rsquo;s dealing with a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;495&quot; data-end=&quot;505&quot;&gt;cavity&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;510&quot; data-end=&quot;987&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A &lt;strong data-start=&quot;512&quot; data-end=&quot;522&quot;&gt;cavity&lt;/strong&gt; (also called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;536&quot; data-end=&quot;551&quot;&gt;tooth decay&lt;/strong&gt; or &lt;strong data-start=&quot;555&quot; data-end=&quot;572&quot;&gt;dental caries&lt;/strong&gt;) is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;579&quot; data-end=&quot;614&quot;&gt;hole or damaged area in a tooth&lt;/strong&gt; caused by tiny troublemakers &amp;mdash; bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria love to feast on sugars and starches from food and drinks. While they snack, they make &lt;strong data-start=&quot;772&quot; data-end=&quot;780&quot;&gt;acid&lt;/strong&gt; that slowly eats away at your tooth&amp;rsquo;s enamel (the hard outer layer). If this acid isn&amp;rsquo;t brushed and rinsed away, it can wear a pit into the tooth &amp;mdash; and that&amp;rsquo;s a cavity!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;989&quot; data-end=&quot;1192&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You might think cavities are just something kids get, but adults can get them too &amp;mdash; especially if gums pull back and expose tooth roots or if old fillings wear down.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1194&quot; data-end=&quot;1360&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early on, cavities may be sneaky and painless, but if they grow larger they can lead to noticeable symptoms and even infections.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1194&quot; data-end=&quot;1360&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1367&quot; data-end=&quot;1410&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Cavities Form (A Little Picture)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1412&quot; data-end=&quot;1446&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Here&amp;rsquo;s a simple way to imagine it:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ol&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1451&quot; data-end=&quot;1586&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1451&quot; data-end=&quot;1479&quot;&gt;Plaque &amp;mdash; the sticky film&lt;/strong&gt; forms when bacteria, food bits, and saliva hang out on your teeth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1590&quot; data-end=&quot;1692&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1590&quot; data-end=&quot;1606&quot;&gt;Acids attack&lt;/strong&gt; your enamel after the bacteria digest sugars.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1696&quot; data-end=&quot;1790&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1696&quot; data-end=&quot;1718&quot;&gt;Enamel breaks down&lt;/strong&gt; and little holes start to form.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1794&quot; data-end=&quot;1923&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If left unchecked, the decay can go deeper into the softer layers and even reach the nerve.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ol&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1925&quot; data-end=&quot;2126&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Your friendly saliva helps wash away food and acid, but when plaque sticks around too long &amp;mdash; especially after sugary snacks &amp;mdash; those acids get more time to do harm.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1925&quot; data-end=&quot;2126&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;2133&quot; data-end=&quot;2178&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs, Causes &amp;amp; What You Can Do&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2180&quot; data-end=&quot;2281&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;So you know how cavities start&amp;hellip; now let&amp;rsquo;s talk about what they &lt;em data-start=&quot;2243&quot; data-end=&quot;2249&quot;&gt;feel&lt;/em&gt; like and how to keep them away!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2180&quot; data-end=&quot;2281&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2288&quot; data-end=&quot;2319&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Signs of Cavities&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2321&quot; data-end=&quot;2407&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Cavities don&amp;rsquo;t always send a dramatic signal at first, but over time you might notice:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2411&quot; data-end=&quot;2474&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2411&quot; data-end=&quot;2432&quot;&gt;Tooth sensitivity&lt;/strong&gt; to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2477&quot; data-end=&quot;2535&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2477&quot; data-end=&quot;2490&quot;&gt;Toothache&lt;/strong&gt; that comes and goes or hurts when you bite&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2538&quot; data-end=&quot;2600&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2538&quot; data-end=&quot;2576&quot;&gt;Visible pits, holes, or dark spots&lt;/strong&gt; on your tooth surface&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2603&quot; data-end=&quot;2653&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2603&quot; data-end=&quot;2617&quot;&gt;Bad breath&lt;/strong&gt; or unpleasant taste in your mouth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2656&quot; data-end=&quot;2741&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2656&quot; data-end=&quot;2680&quot;&gt;Tender, swollen gums&lt;/strong&gt; near an affected tooth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2743&quot; data-end=&quot;2879&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early on you might not feel much at all &amp;mdash; that&amp;rsquo;s why regular brushing and dental checkups are key!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2743&quot; data-end=&quot;2879&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;2886&quot; data-end=&quot;2914&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes Cavities?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2916&quot; data-end=&quot;3088&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cavities happen when acids produced by mouth bacteria stay in contact with your teeth long enough to break down enamel. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2916&quot; data-end=&quot;3088&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Some common factors that increase your risk include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3090&quot; data-end=&quot;3411&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Eating or drinking foods with lots of sugar or starch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3145&quot; data-end=&quot;3148&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Snacking frequently throughout the day&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3188&quot; data-end=&quot;3191&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Not brushing and flossing regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3228&quot; data-end=&quot;3231&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Dry mouth (less saliva to wash away acids)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3275&quot; data-end=&quot;3278&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Receding gums exposing root surfaces&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3316&quot; data-end=&quot;3319&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Lack of fluoride protection in toothpaste or water&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3413&quot; data-end=&quot;3565&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even your own saliva helps fight cavities &amp;mdash; so conditions that reduce saliva flow can make cavities more likely.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3413&quot; data-end=&quot;3565&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3572&quot; data-end=&quot;3602&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Are Cavities Found?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3604&quot; data-end=&quot;3856&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Many cavities are found during &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3635&quot; data-end=&quot;3659&quot;&gt;routine dental exams&lt;/strong&gt; before you ever notice any discomfort. Dentists use tools and sometimes X-rays to spot tooth decay early &amp;mdash; especially between teeth where cavities can hide.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3604&quot; data-end=&quot;3856&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;3863&quot; data-end=&quot;3896&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Are Cavities Treated?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3898&quot; data-end=&quot;3939&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It depends on how far the decay has gone:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3943&quot; data-end=&quot;4089&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3943&quot; data-end=&quot;3960&quot;&gt;Early stages:&lt;/strong&gt; Fluoride treatments can sometimes strengthen enamel and help reverse very early decay.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4092&quot; data-end=&quot;4241&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4092&quot; data-end=&quot;4117&quot;&gt;Established cavities:&lt;/strong&gt; Dentists clean out the damaged area and place a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4166&quot; data-end=&quot;4177&quot;&gt;filling&lt;/strong&gt; to restore the tooth.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4244&quot; data-end=&quot;4370&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4244&quot; data-end=&quot;4263&quot;&gt;Advanced decay:&lt;/strong&gt; If the damage reaches the nerve, a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4299&quot; data-end=&quot;4313&quot;&gt;root canal&lt;/strong&gt; may be needed.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4373&quot; data-end=&quot;4509&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4373&quot; data-end=&quot;4390&quot;&gt;Severe cases:&lt;/strong&gt; Sometimes the tooth must be &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4419&quot; data-end=&quot;4430&quot;&gt;removed&lt;/strong&gt; and replaced with a bridge or implant.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4516&quot; data-end=&quot;4549&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How to Protect Your Smile&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4551&quot; data-end=&quot;4603&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Great habits go a long way in keeping cavities away:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4605&quot; data-end=&quot;4903&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4658&quot; data-end=&quot;4661&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Floss daily to clean between teeth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4697&quot; data-end=&quot;4700&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Cut down on sugary and sticky snacks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4738&quot; data-end=&quot;4741&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Visit the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4797&quot; data-end=&quot;4800&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Drink fluoridated water and consider dental sealants for kids&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4905&quot; data-end=&quot;5007&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Healthy habits help protect enamel before cavities even start.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4905&quot; data-end=&quot;5007&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;5014&quot; data-end=&quot;5037&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5039&quot; data-end=&quot;5343&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cavities are one of the most common dental problems &amp;mdash; and they can happen to anyone. They begin quietly, but with mindful daily care and regular dental visits, you can stop them in their tracks and keep your smile bright!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5039&quot; data-end=&quot;5343&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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