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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Cavities are decayed areas of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including not cleaning your teeth well, frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks.
Cavities and tooth decay are one of the most common health problems around the world. They're especially common in children, but anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants and older adults.
If cavities aren't treated, they get larger and the decay can cause a severe toothache, infection, tooth loss and other complications. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits go a long way toward preventing cavities and tooth decay.
- Gonsalves W. Oral health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill/Lange; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3036775. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Durso SC. Oral manifestations of disease. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2862909. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Plaque: What it is and how to get rid of it. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/0C900F9D-C582-4609-A62C-CF4AB53E84A0/0/Plaque_brochure.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Seal out tooth decay. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/SealOutToothDecay.htm. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Fact sheet: Tooth decay. Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/OralHealthFacts/files/pdfgenerator.aspx?pdf=FS_ToothDecay.pdf&id=. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Eating habits that can harm teeth. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002;133:1739.
- The oral health of older Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/adult_older.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
- Kagihara LE. Assessment, management, and prevention of early childhood caries. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. 2009;21:1.
- Caries. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch095/ch095b.html. Accessed March 8, 2009.
- Oral health: Preventing cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/pdf/doh.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2009.
- Dental amalgam use and benefits. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/publications/factsheets/amalgam.htm. Accessed March 12, 2009.
