The first warning signs of a cavity aren’t a sharp pain when you bite down or a dark hole in your tooth. It’s a pale, chalky patch on the enamel called a white spot lesion. These early cavity spots, known as incipient caries, result from enamel losing minerals as acids from bacteria attack the tooth. Luckily, at this stage in the cavity formation process, a cavity can still be stopped and even reversed.
Treating tooth decay at this early stage matters because dental caries remain one of the most common health conditions worldwide, and catching cavities early can save you from more invasive dental procedures like getting a dental filling or worse, a tooth extraction.
Continue reading to learn how the best family dentist in Mountain View uses a two-step, drill-free approach to stopping early cavities.
Can Small Cavities be Stopped if Found Early?
A common question we get from our patients is, “Can small cavities be reversed without needing to be drilled?” The answer is, absolutely! When a cavity first starts to form, the enamel of your tooth begins to lose minerals, which causes a faint white or chalky spot on the enamel. Cavities at this stage can be missed because you won’t have any dental pain or notice anything unusual about your tooth. However, your dentist will notice a difference.
Active vs. Inactive Dental Lesions
What matters most in stopping or reversing a cavity is whether your cavity is active or inactive:
- An active lesion means acids are still pulling minerals out of the enamel each day, even if the spot looks small or unchanged in the mirror.
- An inactive lesion means the process has slowed or stopped, and the enamel is no longer breaking down.
This difference is important because an active early cavity can usually be treated with noninvasive care that helps the tooth heal, while an inactive one may only need monitoring.
What is CaviSense?
CaviSense is a simple, non-invasive cavity detection test used to detect early cavities, where enamel has started to lose minerals but has not yet formed a hole. This test indicates whether a cavity is actively growing or has slowed. The test is fast and painless, using a color-changing monitor to measure pH on a tooth’s surface. The best comprehensive dentists in Mountain View offer CaviSense as part of a routine dental exam if white spot lesions are visualized.
What Happens After a Positive CaviSense Test?
When a CaviSense test is positive, it means the area shows an active dental lesion. Rather than waiting months to see if the area worsens, a positive CaviSense result gives you and your dentist the confidence to take action with treatment right away. As the best dentist in Mountain View, we recommend Curodont for those with a positive CaviSense test.
How Curodont Works to Remineralize Tooth Enamel and Prevent the Need for Dental Fillings
When a CaviSense test indicates an early cavity is active, Curodont is recommended to remineralize tooth enamel before a dental filling becomes necessary. Patients love Curodont because the treatment is simple and requires no drilling, needles, or stress.
Curodont is a Swiss-developed product that uses a biomimetic approach called Guided Enamel Regeneration that mirrors how enamel forms naturally. Once applied, Curodont fills the weakened area of enamel like water soaking into dry chalk, where it supports the rebuilding of lost minerals instead of cutting the tooth down. Research on the self-assembling peptide technology behind Curodont, known as P11-4, shows promising results in helping remineralize active lesions.
Finding the Best Family Dentist in Mountain View for CaviSense and Curodont
Choosing a family dentist can feel overwhelming, especially when you want someone who keeps pace with how dentistry is changing while still being approachable. With Dr. Jennifer Silvers, we focus on clear communication and a patient-centered approach to care that makes sense for every stage of life. Whether it’s your child’s first dental visit or you’re a senior who has restorative dental needs, we offer comprehensive dental care with a commitment to staying current with new research, tools, and techniques.
Ready to stop cavities in their tracks with modern dental care from the best family dentist in Mountain View?
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