Car maintenance, a phone call, a breakup, facing your fears: there are a LOT of things that we often put off. Treating a cavity shouldn't be one of them! If you've ever read about home remedies for treating a cavity and breathed a sigh of relief, we have some bad news for you: once a cavity starts, there's really no turning back. Cavities happen when food particles are left on the teeth for an extended period of time. When these leftover food particles (especially from foods that are sugary or acidic) sit for too long, they create an ideal breeding ground for bad bacteria. As those nasty guys grow and multiply, your tooth enamel suffers damage from the, uh, "output" created by the bacteria. Once that hole starts in your enamel and bacteria can enter the tooth, there's no denying it: you've got a cavity… and it's not going to improve until you treat it. Although common cavity symptoms may include toothaches, pain with hot or cold liquids, swelling, or visible holes in your teeth, sometimes you can have a cavity with no symptoms at all. Terrifying, right?That's one of the main reasons why regular dental visits are so important. Many of us question how long we can leave a cavity untreated, and the answer is not very long. The best possible treatment for a cavity is a filling, which helps prevent the affected tooth from further decay. Fillings are an incredibly common procedure and are nearly painless thanks to advancements in the world of dentistry. If you're anxious about the idea of getting your cavity filled, we'd like to present a worse option: a root canal. Root canals involve the removal of the pulp and soft tissues inside the tooth and can be pricey when compared to fillings. Worse still, untreated cavities can result in an abscess. If the damage to the tooth is so severe that a filling or root canal won't be able to treat it, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced with an implant. With all of THAT in mind, doesn't a check-up sounds pretty good? We think so, which is why we make it easier than ever to visit us by offering same-day, emergency, and weekend appointments. Instead of waiting and wondering if you have a cavity, or assuming that it's less severe, don't wait to book your appointment.