Cavities. Nobody wants them, yet a lot of us get them. And while most of us know that cavities aren’t a good thing, many people can be confused about what really causes cavities. At the Douglasville dental office of Dr. Jim Williams, we’d like to debunk some of the most widely accepted cavity myths so our patients can understand what causes these pockets of decay.

Myth 1 – Sugar is the Prime Cause of Cavities

There is some truth behind this statement, and maybe that’s what causes the confusion. While sugar itself doesn’t cause cavities, carbohydrates like sugar cause bacteria in your mouth to produce acid. It’s this acid that actually eats into your teeth and causes cavities.

Myth 2 – Sensitivity in Teeth Means You Have A Cavity

Not necessarily. Tooth sensitivity doesn’t always mean that you have a cavity. It could be that you just have sensitive teeth or perhaps a gum has receded and exposed the root. Whatever the reason, if you’re experiencing sensitive tooth pain, it’s important that you visit your Douglasville dentist as soon as possible so we can work together to correct the sensitivity.

Myth 3 – If You Have a Cavity in Douglasville, You’ll Know It

This myth is one that’s most concerning to us. Mild tooth decay doesn’t cause any symptoms. It’s when the decay becomes more advanced that we begin to experience the pain associated with a cavity. When the decay is advanced enough to cause pain, you may often need more extensive treatment like a root canal. This is one reason why keeping up with your dental exams is so important — so we can catch any problems before they become big problems.

If you’re due for an exam, call our Douglasville dental office to schedule an appointment today. We’ll perform an in depth exam, work together to fix any issues we may find, and make sure to get your smile in its best shape.