As the bacteria grow and multiply, your tooth enamel suffers damage from the acid created by the bacteria. Once there is a hole in the enamel and the bacteria can enter the tooth, a cavity is created. The most common symptoms of a cavity that many individuals experience include:. The most common reason dentists hear from their patients not getting their cavities filled is that they were unaware they had developed a cavity. Many adults wonder, do small cavities need to be filled? The short answer is yes and no, as it depends on a variety of factors.
If the cavity is extremely small, filling it may not be ideal. Instead, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments or preventative resins, also called sealants, in order to prevent the cavity from becoming any worse. In fact, the best scenario that occurs when a cavity has been left to worsen is a very large filling.
A root canal involves the removal of the pulp and soft tissues inside the tooth. Then, the resulting void is filled and sealed to prevent further damage to the tooth.
In some instances, a crown may be placed over the tooth to further protect it and restore its function. Plaque begins to eat away at the enamel of your teeth. The stage at which the cavity is identified greatly impacts the outcome. Cavity progression goes through several stages over time, starting with mild. However, an untreated cavity can have serious consequences. The first stage of a cavity is when the enamel of the tooth starts to weaken.
You may have some white or dark spots on your tooth, or you may not be aware of the cavity at all. At this point, the damage can be reversed. Regular visits to a dentist will identify any weaknesses, and fluoride treatments will remineralize your teeth.
You can also make dietary changes to reduce the acid in your mouth. At this point, the protective layer of enamel on your teeth has been damaged. You may begin to have some sensitivity in your affected tooth. The enamel decay is extensive enough for bacteria to access the nerves and soft tissue inside your tooth. Tooth decay will occur more rapidly once it reaches the dentin. Dentin decay may need a filling, or more extensive treatment, depending on the level of damage.
By the time a tooth reaches pulp decay, there will be lots of pain. The bacteria in your mouth can infect the pulp. At this point, you have a really bad cavity and the damage is severe.
A root canal is needed to treat pulp decay. If bacteria infect the pulp, an abscess will form. This is a very serious infection, where a pus-filled pocket settles into the tooth.
Severe pain will usually accompany an abscess. As you can see from the stages of a cavity, you will likely experience some symptoms indicating a problem with your teeth. These symptoms include:. However, not all people experience the same symptoms at the same stages. In the early stages, you may not have any tooth pain or sensitivity.
By regularly visiting your dentist , you can be made aware that the decay has started. There are many opportunities to address the decay in the early stages before the cavity becomes a serious problem. Or you may have started to experience a mild toothache. You may wonder how quickly a cavity needs to be treated or if it can be left untreated.
As you can see from the stages, leaving a cavity untreated can lead to serious complications. At the stage where an abscess forms, the infection could be serious and potentially fatal. Regarding the timing around treating a cavity, the answer is: the sooner, the better. The more advanced the cavity, the more invasive the treatment will be.
Catching a cavity early will save time, money, and pain. It is far better to treat a cavity when it is still a relatively small problem. Of course, the best treatment for a cavity is prevention. They usually form because you are not getting all the particles off of your teeth after eating food.
So, plaque will set in and if that hardened material is not removed, bacteria creeps in and starts to eat away at your enamel. Once it has destroyed the enamel, it starts to eat through the dentin, and in a few months you have your first cavity. The cavity will begin to cause a lot of pain if you do not get it taken care of right away.
A cavity will never just heal on its own, and the pain will keep getting worse, and can even spread to other parts of your mouth and teeth. But there are some other issues that can happen as well. A cavity can be stopped before it ever forms by becoming more diligent about preventative dentistry.
By following a few mouth cleaning activities you can keep yourself from a world of pain. Try following these tips to help fight off cavities before they form:. You do not have to suffer through the agony of living with a cavity. If you are looking for a cleaning or suspect that you have a cavity, then call us today. We can answer all of your questions, schedule you for a checkup, and even take care of that nasty cavity causing you so much pain.
We offer many services to help keep your teeth healthy. We look forward to meeting your needs! Reach out to us today to get started on your journey to a cavity-free smile! Excellent staff. I have been to a lot of dentists over my years, but this staff was the best ever.
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