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GuideWisdom™

This WisdomCard managed by: Tara Salamone

A cavity is a hole in a tooth. Cavities develop when a tooth starts to decay. When plaque is allowed to build up on a tooth, it allows acids caused by bacteria in the mouth to eat away at the enamel. Left untreated the cavity will become larger and the tooth can develop an abscess.¹

Fast Facts:

• -- Dental cavities may also be called caries.¹
• -- Brushing, flossing, limiting sweets and regular visits to the dentist can help to prevent cavities.¹
• -- Depending on the location, a cavity may not cause pain early on.²

5 Great Resources on Cavities

• KidsHealth: What's a Cavity?
• Cleveland Clinic: Cavities
• WebMD (via CBS News): Sweetener May Cut Cavities In Kids (July 9, 2008)
• Merck Manuals: Cavities
• HealthScout: 3D Medical Animations - Dental Cavities

5 Latest Headlines on Cavities

• More Cavities News from Topix

What are Cavities?

• Colgate: What are Cavities?
• About.com: Glossary Definition of Dental Term - Cavity
• MedicineNet: Cavities Definition

What are the Symptoms of Cavities?

• A.D.A.M. (via MedlinePlus): Dental Cavities - Symptoms
• Mayo Clinic: Cavities/ Tooth Decay - Symptoms
• University of Illinois Medical Center: Dental Caries (Cavities) - What are the Signs and Symptoms of the Disease?

What are the Causes and Complications of Cavities?

• Healthy Teeth: What Causes a Cavity?
• Mayo Clinic: Cavities/ Tooth Decay - Complications
• MedicineNet: Dental Cavities - What are the Causes of Cavities?

What are the Treatments and Medications for Cavities?

• Irishhealth: Cavities - What if I Already Have a cavity?
• Mayo Clinic: Cavities/ Tooth Decay Treatments and Drugs
• Cleveland Clinic: Treating Cavities with Fillings

What are the Holistic and Alternative Treatments for Cavities?

• Mayo Clinic: Cavities/ Tooth Decay - Lifestyle and Home Remedies
• WNBC Health: Laser Cavity Treatment Requires No Drill, No Shots
• About.com: Toothache Remedies

What are the Types, Stages and Survival Rates of Cavities?

• DrBirnbaum: Overview of Cavities - Cavities
• Mayo Clinic: Types of Cavities

How Do You Prevent Cavities?

• American Dental Association (ADA): Tooth Decay (Cavities / Caries) - Preventing Decay
• Mayo Clinic: Cavities/ Tooth Decay - Prevention
• MedicineNet: Cavities - How Can Cavities Be Prevented?

Wisdom, Blogs, and Message Boards about Cavities

• Tara Parker - Pope on Health (via The New York Times - Health): Overweight Kids Have Fewer Cavities
• Colgate: What are Cavities?
• Parents: The Surprising Truth About Cavities
• Chicago Tribune: Look, Mom—No Cavities! (July 1, 2008)
• Recipe for Health: Everything You Need to Know About Cavities

Foundations and Support Groups on Cavities

• DailyStrength: Posts on Dental Cavities
• ADA: Official Site

Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Cavities

• PubMed Central: Articles on Dental Cavities
• JAMA: Articles About Cavities
• Google Scholar: Cavities Articles

Clinical Trials on Cavities

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Dental Cavities Clinical Trials

Related WisdomCards

• Gum Disease
• How to Floss Your Teeth
• Root Canal
• Periodontics
• Tooth Decay
• Periodontitis
• Gingivitis
• Oral Health
• Abscess
• Dental Plaque

GuideWisdom and Fast Facts References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} KidsHealth: What's a Cavity?
2. ↑ Merck Manuals: Cavities

User Recommended Links for Cavities

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