Cavities are a hole in the tooth caused when bacteria cause decay of the outer, hard surface of the tooth and over time destroy the tooth’s structure. This leads to pain as the tooth nerves are exposed, infection, abscesses and loss of the tooth.  Tooth decay prevents itself first as a white pot on the tooth as the enamel is broken down, then the tooth becomes brown and eventually soft and a cavity in the tooth forms. Cavities can easily be prevented by regular brushing of the teeth and dental inspections but if the tooth decay is allowed to progress it is irreversible and restorative dental work maybe required.