I absolutely love this dentist office! Every Dentist and dental hygienist I’ve ever been treated by, have been wonderful! I recently went to have a second opinion on a tooth with sensitivity, and Dr. Andrew’s was fantastic! She used a desensitizing resin to help with the issue. Thank you to all the Staff for being so kind and caring!
Cavities are one of the most common health problems in the world, and one of the most preventable. A cavity that is caught early is a small fix; one that is ignored can turn into a toothache, a root canal or a lost tooth. Here is what actually prevents decay, with a few notes that matter more on the Big Island than on the mainland.
How do cavities form?
Bacteria in plaque feed on sugar and starch and make acid. Each time you eat or drink something sugary, that acid pulls minerals out of your enamel. Saliva and fluoride help put minerals back. A cavity forms when the minerals lost outrun the minerals regained, again and again, until the enamel breaks down into a hole.
So preventing cavities comes down to three things: less acid attack, more repair, and catching early damage while it can still be reversed.
Why prevention matters more in Hawaii
Most tap water in Hawaii is not fluoridated, unlike much of the mainland. Many Kona households also use catchment or bottled water, which usually has little or no fluoride. That means the fluoride you get from toothpaste and from the dentist does more of the work here.
7 ways to prevent cavities
1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
Brush for two minutes, morning and night. Spit out the extra toothpaste but don't rinse right away, so the fluoride stays on your teeth longer.
2. Clean between your teeth every day
A toothbrush cannot reach between teeth, which is where many adult cavities start. String floss, floss picks, small interdental brushes and water flossers all work; choose the one you will use.
3. Watch how often you snack and sip
Every sugary snack or sweet drink starts a new acid attack. Grazing all day, or sipping soda, juice or sweet coffee for hours, is harder on teeth than the same amount eaten at once. Water is the best drink between meals. (More ideas in our tooth-friendly snacks post.)
4. Get fluoride varnish at your checkup
We offer fluoride varnish at Kona Coast Dental Care. Painted on at a checkup in a few seconds, it strengthens enamel and can help reverse very early decay. It is especially useful for children and for adults who get cavities often or have dry mouth.
5. Seal the back teeth
Dental sealants are a thin protective coating painted into the deep grooves of back teeth, where food and bacteria collect. We place sealants at Kona Coast Dental Care, most often on children's molars soon after they come in. The practice sees kids from age 1; read about kids' visits.
6. Chew sugar-free gum after meals
Gum with the ADA Seal increases saliva, which washes away food and helps neutralize acid.
7. Keep regular cleanings and exams
A cleaning removes hardened tartar that brushing cannot, and an exam with X-rays finds cavities between teeth before they hurt. Learn about cleanings and exams.
How often should you see a dentist?
Many people do well with a checkup and cleaning about every six months. People with a history of cavities, gum disease or dry mouth may need visits more often; people with very low risk sometimes less. Your dentist will suggest a schedule based on your mouth.
Early signs of a cavity
Early cavities often cause no symptoms, which is why checkups matter. Signs to watch for:
- A chalky white or brown spot on a tooth
- Sensitivity to sweets, cold or heat
- Food catching in the same spot
- A visible hole or dark area
- Pain when biting, or a toothache that lingers
Can cavities go away?
A very early white-spot lesion, before the enamel breaks, can sometimes be reversed with fluoride and better habits. Once a cavity has become a hole, it cannot heal on its own. It needs a filling before it reaches the nerve.
Frequently asked questions
How do you stop a cavity from getting worse?
Cut back on sugary snacks and drinks, brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, clean between teeth, and see your dentist. Only a dentist can tell whether a spot can be reversed or needs a filling.
Can you remineralize teeth?
Early enamel damage can be partly remineralized with fluoride and saliva. A true cavity (a hole) cannot.
Are sealants only for kids?
They are most common for children, but some adults with deep grooves and no fillings in those teeth may benefit. We place sealants for both; ask at your next visit.
Which teeth usually get cavities first?
Back molars, because of their deep grooves, and the spaces between teeth, where a toothbrush cannot reach.
Book a preventive visit in Kailua-Kona
The $239 new patient visit includes digital X-rays, a full exam and a cleaning. See the new patient visit. The practice is in-network with HDS, HMSA and HMAA and accepts more than 140 plans, including Delta Dental and MetLife. Call 808-329-8067 or book online. Kona Coast Dental Care, 75-5591 Palani Rd, Suite 202. Open Monday, Tuesday, Friday 7–4; Wednesday, Thursday 7–7; Saturday 8–4.
Reviewed by the dentists at Kona Coast Dental Care · November 5, 2026