Common Risk Factors And Causes Of Cavities

Cavities begin as tiny holes, but grow larger over time, resulting in permanent tooth damage. A cavity may affect the enamel or hard outer coating of the tooth and the inner dentin layer, eventually allowing bacteria to reach the tooth's soft pulp. From there, the tooth can become infected, and the infection may spread, potentially leading to serious and life-threatening complications. Untreated cavities can also result in tooth loss and contribute to gum disease. Numerous factors can affect if teeth will develop cavities or not, but they all come down to bacteria being allowed to grow and attack the teeth.