Things You Need To Know About Tooth Cavities
Cavities are spaces in your teeth’s surface where tooth decay has formed, resulting in holes. Some of the causes include dental hygiene deficiencies, consuming a lot of sugary snacks, and plaque formation. Dental fillings, root canal therapy, and extraction of teeth are among the treatments. The chances of achieving good oral health and having a predictable outcome are higher when a cavity is treated in the early stage.
What Are Tooth Cavities?
Tooth cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by dental decay. Dental caries is another term for it. The hard outer layer of teeth, called enamel, erodes when acids from the mouth wear it down, causing cavities. While it can affect everyone, cavities can be avoided with good oral care and yearly dental cleanings. However, if left untreated, cavities progressively enlarge from their initial tiny size. Since many cavities don’t hurt when they first appear, it might be challenging to recognise that there is an issue. Early detection of tooth decay is possible with routine dental visits.
Causes of Tooth Cavities
Tooth cavities can affect everyone and it can result from various reasons. Common causes of tooth cavities include:
- Saliva.
- Presence of bacteria in the mouth.
- Acid.
- Food debris.
Everybody contains bacteria in their mouth. Sugar is converted to acid by oral bacteria when consuming sugar-containing food or beverages. Your teeth begin to accumulate plaque as soon as you consume anything sweet. Regular brushing is crucial for this reason. As plaque adheres to teeth, tooth enamel can gradually deteriorate due to the acid in plaque. Your teeth’s enamel is a tough, shielding layer that keeps tooth decay at bay. The likelihood of rotting rises when the enamel on your teeth erodes.
Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Cavities
Tooth cavities might not result in any symptom during the initial stage. As the decay progress, it will result in mild to severe symptoms such as:
- Toothache.
- Hypersensitivity of the teeth.
- Hole in the teeth.
- Black or white stain on the teeth.
Tooth Cavities and Its Stages
There are five main stages of tooth decay. These includes:
Demineralization – It is the initial phase of tooth decay. Due to disintegration of minerals in the tooth enamel, tiny, white powdery patches will be present on the teeth.
Enamel decay – If the tooth is left untreated, dental decay advances and erodes your enamel more. Cavities or holes may become visible at this point. White patches could turn a pale brown hue.
Dentin decay – Dentin is the layer directly below the tooth enamel which is far more pliable than the enamel. Once the plague and bacteria enter this layer, the cavities form more quickly. Teeth sensitivity becomes apparent at this point and the teeth’s spot also becomes a deeper shade of brown.
Damage of tooth pulp – The innermost layer of your tooth is called the pulp. It contains blood vessels and nerves that supply the tooth to maintain its viability. You will experience pain when cavities enter the pulp. It will cause swelling and redness of the gum that surrounds the affected tooth. It will also result in black spots or darker brown on the teeth.
Abscessed tooth – An infection may result from a deep hollow if left untreated. Pus will grow near the tip of the tooth root as a result, causing jaw or facial pain. . Additionally, you can experience swelling in your face and neck lymph nodes. A dental abscess has the potential to spread to other parts of your body and the surrounding tissues at this point. Seldom may an infection even extend to the bloodstream or brain (sepsis).
Risks Factors Associated With Tooth Cavities
Everyone has a chance to develop tooth cavities but some people are at higher levels because of several reasons. These can be either lifestyle, disease conditions or side effects of certain treatments. Common risks factors are:
- Xerostomia, i.e., an excess dry mouth.
- Overconsumption of sugary, starchy foods and drinks.
- Gum recession.
- Previous radiation therapy in the gum or neck.
- Inadequate dental hygiene, such as not cleaning and flossing teeth on a regular basis.
- Inadequate intake of fluoride.
- Acid reflux disease.
- Eating disorders like anorexia.
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Treatment Approaches for Tooth Cavities
Several treatment options are available for tooth cavities. These can be selected based on the severity of the teeth damage. Common treatment options include:
Fluoride treatment – Fluoride treatments can restore damaged enamel at the very early stages of tooth decay; this process is known as remineralization. The symptoms of early cavities can be restored by doing this. Fluoride treatment might be available at the dentist’s office or it might be present in a prescription toothpaste and mouthwash.
Dental fillings -During dental fillings, a dentist will drill out the decaying tissue and fill the hole in the tooth after it has formed. Dental fillings are usually made up of gold, silver amalgam or composite resin. They are made to resemble the natural tooth color.
Root canal treatment (RCT) – It is mainly used to treat advanced tooth decay. Endodontists usually carry out this operation. An endodontist will remove the pulp of the tooth during a root canal treatment, and then gutta-percha, a unique filling substance, will be used to fill the canals and pulp chamber. In certain situations, a dental crown may also be necessary to reinforce the damaged tooth.
Crowning – The natural crown of the tooth might be replaced with a custom-fit cap if the deterioration is more severe. Prior to beginning this process, your dentist will extract any decaying tooth material.
Tooth extraction – In the event that root canal therapy is not an option, your physician might suggest extraction of the tooth. To replace a lost permanent tooth, you might require a dental bridge or implant. You can learn more about your particular options from your dentist.
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Conclusions
Do not put off getting treatment from a dentist if you notice any symptoms of a cavity. After examining your teeth, they will advise on the best course of action. You might not even require a filling if you discover tooth decay in its early stages. Thus, it’s critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
References
https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/tooth-cavities#causes
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10946-cavities
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892