Cavities are the gradual and progressive decay of a tooth.

This condition initiates as a small cavity in the enamel (the hard, protective outer covering of a tooth).

If treatment is neglected, the decay eventually penetrates the outer layer of enamel and attacks the dentin, the softer material that makes up the bulk of a tooth.

With the progress in tooth decay, the pulp the living core of the tooth that contains the nerves and blood vessels) may be affected.

If the pulp is exposed to decay and it becomes infected.

A lot of people face the problem of dental cavities at some time in their lives.

In kids and youngsters the tooth decay generally occurs on the chewing surfaces of the upper and lower teeth and on the surfaces where the teeth touch each other.

In older people, tooth decay is more common at the gum margins where the teeth meet the gums.

In developed countries, the number of teeth lost as a result of dental cavities has fallen considerably in recent years, specially among children.

This result was achieved due to the addition of fluoride to drinking water in some areas and to the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste, both of which help harden the teeth, making them more resistant to decay.
 

Tooth decay is usually caused due to building up of plaque (a deposit of food particles, mucus, and bacteria) on the surface of the teeth.

The bacteria in plaque break down the sugar in food and produces an acid that erodes the tooth enamel.

If sugary foods are eaten regularly and the teeth are not cleaned thoroughly there is fear of cavity problem.

The condition is more prevalent in children, adolescents, and young adults because they are more likely to have a diet high in sugar and fail to clean their teeth regularly.

Babies who frequently fall asleep with a bottle of juice in their mouths may also develop severe cavities, especially in the front teeth.
 

Toothache, which may be constant or sharp and stabbing and triggered by hot, cold, or sweet foods or drinks.

Persistent, throbbing pain in the jaw and occasionally in the ear and face, which may be worse when chewing.

Bad breath.

Pain in a tooth can take several forms. It may be persistent, recurrent, or set off by extremes of hot or cold or pressure on the tooth.

You should see your dentist immediately after pain first appears and make an immediate appointment if the pain ends abruptly because this may indicate that the nerves and blood vessels have died.
 

Your dentist will examine your teeth with a probe and a mirror to look for areas of tooth decay.

An X-ray may also be taken to look for decay that may be developing beneath the surface of the teeth.

If you have superficial dental cavities restricted to the surface of the enamel, application of fluoride to the affected area will be done and you must take utmost care of oral hygiene.

If tooth decay has penetrated further into the enamel, or if it has affected the dentine, the dentist will probably need to fill the affected tooth,

An injection of a local anesthetic is often use to numb the tooth and nearby gum in order to prevent further decay.

If you have pulpits and the pulp cannot be saved, you may need root canal treatment 
 

Your teeth and gums should be brushed and flossed regularly to keep them clean.

You can also help prevent dental cavities from developing by avoiding sweet foods and soft drinks.

Left untreated, reversible pulpits may eventually become irreversible, in which the decay will lead to the removal of remaining pulp, nerves, and vessels. Eventually the tooth may become discolored.