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This Myth About Cavities Will Make You Want to See Your Dentist ASAP
In this video, Jennifer Jablow, DDS talks about the most common misconception about tooth pain and cavities—and why you should go to the dentist regularly.
Written by Brittany Doohan | Reviewed by Brian Clista, MD
Updated on April 12, 2025“The most common misconception about a cavity is that a cavity is going to cause you a lot of pain,” says Jennifer Jablow, DDS, dentist in New York City. “Most of the time when you’re having pain from a cavity, it’s already too late to get a filling or just a crown, usually at that point you’re getting a root canal.”
A cavity is tooth decay, or the destruction of tooth enamel, which is the hard, outer layer of your teeth. “Cavities are quite common in adults these days because a lot of people have very acidic foods and acidic drinks, and that helps take away the mineral quality of the teeth and make them more vulnerable to cavities,” says Dr. Jablow. Learn whether sugar causes cavities here.
Additional Medical Contributors
- Jennifer Jablow, DDSDr. Jablow is a dentist in private practice in New York City.
References
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Cavities.
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