DefinitionBy Mayo Clinic staff CLICK TO ENLARGE |Types of
cavities| Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard
surface 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 bacteria in your mouth, not
cleaning your teeth well, frequent snacking and sipping sugary
drinks. Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's most
common health problems. They're especially common in children,
teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get
cavities, including infants. If cavities aren't treated, they
get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead
to severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental
visits and good brushing and flossing habits go a long way
toward preventing cavities and tooth decay. - Gonzalves W. Oral
health. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment
in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill
Companies; 2008. http://www.accessm