Cavities, or tooth decay, is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth and can spread into the dentin and tooth nerve (pulp). It can be a problem for children, teens and adults. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form.

We use X-rays and visual examination to evaluate whether decay is present and how extensive it is.

Some decay is easily seen by looking at the teeth using a light and mirror. While some are only visible on x-rays. Both forms of evaluation are necessary to determine if a tooth is healthy or has a cavity.