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Know Your Cavity Basics

Happy patient with a dentist with thumbs up

Do I have any cavities? This continues to be the number one question kids and adults ask at their routine dental appointment. Dental cavities, also called caries or decay, are a common dental health concern. It may also be one that you don’t know much about. Here are some cavity basics to ensure you have a proper understanding of what a cavity is and how to avoid them.

A cavity begins as a tiny lesion or hole in your tooth. This opening occurs in the hard outer surface of the tooth. It is considered damage to the enamel of the tooth, and the inner structures of the tooth are consequently left more vulnerable.

Not all cavities are treated right away. If you are diligent about your routine dental visits, we may see a cavity at its earliest stage. In such cases, we may decide to “watch and wait”. Decay is a slow progressing disease. A tooth may begin to decay because acid in your mouth leaches out the minerals of the enamel and causes it to break down. Fluoride therapy, dietary changes and better oral hygiene can potentially reverse this process if it is caused early. Essentially, the tooth may be able to remineralize.

Your daily habits can put you at higher risk for cavities. Cavities can be attributed to many factors, including:

  • Frequent eating/snacking on carb-rich or sugary foods
  • Consuming sugary and/or acidic beverages
  • Excessive oral bacteria
  • Poor dental hygiene

Cavities may not produce any symptoms or only subtle signs. In most cases, your dentist can detect a cavity before you ever feel symptoms. You won’t actually be able to see the hole in your tooth. Instead, you may experience sensitivity, pain when biting, or a mild toothache.

Adults can get cavities too. Cavities aren’t just for kids, although children are most prone. People of all ages are susceptible to tooth decay.

Avoiding cavities is simple. By brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating right and maintaining routine dental visits, your risk for cavities diminishes greatly!

Need to schedule that routine dental cleaning? Call Mitzi Morris, DMD. Remember that professional dental cleanings are the only way to remove hardened plaque, which contributes to decay!

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1295 Hembree Rd, Suite B202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1295 Hembree Rd, Suite B202
Roswell, GA 30076

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