{"id":1075,"date":"2019-08-10T12:31:30","date_gmt":"2019-08-10T12:31:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.islandcoastdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=1075"},"modified":"2020-03-20T19:22:09","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T19:22:09","slug":"dentist-naples-untreated-cavity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.islandcoastdentistry.com\/blog\/dentist-naples-untreated-cavity\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happens If You Don\u2019t Treat a Cavity? A Dentist Explains"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CavityDid you know that an estimated 1 out of every 3 adults currentlyhas an undiagnosed cavity? In many cases, people don\u2019t feel pain or sensitivity from a cavity until it\u2019s larger, and even then it\u2019s not uncommon to hold off on having it looked at. Unfortunately, waiting to see a dentist in Naples for treatment will only make the situation worse. Keep reading to learn what a cavity is and why it\u2019s so important to have it repaired as soon as you can!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What Is a Cavity?<\/h2>\n

In literal terms, a cavity is simply a hole in a solid object. Of course, in dental terms, that translates to a hole in your tooth. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth consume residual sugar or carbohydrates after your meals and produce acid that eats away at your enamel.<\/p>\n

This process occurs in stages as a cavity moves through the three layers of your tooth. First, only the outer layer of enamel is affected, at which point most people don\u2019t feel much pain or sensitivity. When the cavity reaches the softer middle layer of the tooth called dentin, it grows much more quickly and usually becomes noticeable. Finally, the cavity reaches the innermost layer that contains the pulp, nerve, and blood supply of the tooth.<\/p>\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Treat a Cavity?<\/h2>\n

Without treatment, a cavity will continue growing larger with time, progressively destroying more of your tooth. This impacts your oral health in more ways than one:<\/p>\n