Cavity is the one word that no one wants to hear the dentist say. A cavity is created when a tooth decays or breaks down. It is a whole that can grow bigger and deeper over time which means that if you have a cavity, it is important to get it repaired.

How does your tooth get a cavity? Cavities are caused because of plaque which is a sticky, slimey substance made up mostly of germs. The bacteria in your mouth makes acid and when the plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the outer layer of the enamel on your teeth.

If you don’t get it taken care of, the acids continue their way through the enamel and the inside part of your tooth begins to decay. This is when you tend to get toothaches because the decay has reached the nerve endings. Your dentist will examine your teeth and take an x-ray to see how far down it goes and then removes it with a special drill. When they remove all of the decay, they can then fill the hole with a specail filling material to protect your tooth.

Even though cavities can be fixed, the best bet is to try and avoid them by taking care of your teeth with these easy steps.

- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day.

- Brush up and down in a circular motion.

- Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy.

- Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food that is stuck between your teeth.

- Limit sweets and sugary drinks, like soda.

- See your dentist twice a year for regular checkups.

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