Day 1: Is your mouth hiding a cavity?

Let's debunk this misconception.

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DAY 1 OF 3 Welcome to our 3-day series on preventing cavities! Today, we'll learn what cavities are, how they form, and what warning signs to watch for. What are cavities? Cavities are small holes that form in your teeth when decay damages the hard outer layer. They're very common — half of all children ages 6 to 9 years have had at least one cavity, and 1 in 5 adults has an untreated cavity right now. Nearly 96% of adults over age 65 have had cavities in their lifetime. You have a higher chance of getting cavities if you:   • eat or drink sugary things often   • don't brush regularly with fluoride toothpaste   • have a dry mouth   • wear braces   • use e-cigarettes or vapes   • don't have regular access to dental care   • take medications that reduce saliva flow How cavities form Think of your mouth as an ongoing battle between two teams:   💥  Team Decay: Bacteria in plaque use sugar from foods and drinks to make acid that attacks your teeth.   🛡  Team Protection: Minerals in your saliva and fluoride from toothpaste help rebuild your teeth after acid attacks. When you eat or drink sugary things often, Team Decay gets too many chances to attack. Eventually, the enamel weakens and a cavity forms. Early warning signs The first sign of potential cavity formation is often white spots on your teeth. This shows minerals are being lost, but at this early stage, the damage can still be reversed! Other warning signs to watch for:   • pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods   • visible holes in your teeth   • brown, black, or white spots on teeth   • toothache or pain when biting down If a cavity gets very deep, it can cause a serious infection that may spread to other parts of your body. DOWNLOAD NOW When to see a dentist Don't wait for pain! Regular dental checkups can catch problems early when they're easier to fix. White spots can often be reversed, but once a hole forms, you'll need a dentist to repair it. FIND A DENTIST IN YOUR AREA Tomorrow, we'll share simple daily habits that help prevent cavities. Want to keep learning?   Tooth decay: Symptoms, causes, treatment, and prevention READ ON   How dental health and psoriasis are related READ ON   Study Finds Teeth Cleaning Can Help Prevent AFib Recurrence READ ON Until next time, Take care of yourself, and we'll see you again soon! View in browser Did a friend send you this email? Subscribe here. To see all newsletters, click here. Privacy   |   Unsubscribe We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Healthline does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional. Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health. © 2025 RVO Health 1101 Red Ventures Drive Fort Mill, SC 29707