Are you aware of the factors that lead to tooth decay? Read to know about dental cavities. Learn how you can prevent and treat it.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity is a hole that forms in a tooth due to tooth decay. It happens when acids in your mouth wear away the hard outer layer of your tooth, called enamel.
Anyone can get a cavity. To prevent cavities, taking good care of your teeth is essential by brushing regularly and going for dental check-ups.
Types of Dental Cavities
Dental cavities can start on different parts of your teeth. Here are the common types and where they usually occur:
Smooth surface: This cavity slowly eats away at the enamel between teeth. You can prevent and sometimes even reverse it by caring for your teeth. People in their 20s often get these cavities.
Pit and fissure decay: These cavities form on the top of your teeth, especially the chewing surfaces. They can also affect the front part of your back teeth. This type of decay often starts during the teenage years and progresses quickly.
Root decay: Adults with receding gums are more likely to get root decay. When your gums move back, it exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque and acid. Root decay is tough to prevent and treat. If you have gum recession, your dentist might recommend seeing a specialist called a periodontist.
How Common are Cavities?
More than 80% of Americans have had at least one cavity by the time they reach their mid-30s. Cavities are one of the most common ongoing dental problems that affect people of all ages.
Tooth decay can happen to anyone, but it’s more common in children because they may not brush their teeth properly, eat sugary foods, and drink sugary drinks. Many adults also get dental cavities, and sometimes new cavities can develop around old ones from childhood. Adults are at risk if they have receding gums, as this exposes the roots of their teeth to plaque and can lead to dental cavities.
Symptoms
When tooth decay is only on the outer enamel surface, it usually doesn’t cause pain or symptoms. You’re more likely to have symptoms when the decay goes beyond the enamel and reaches the dentin and pulp.
Dental cavities symptoms can include:
- Bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
- Bleeding gums or signs of gum disease.
- Swelling in your face.
- Toothaches or pain in your mouth.
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods and drinks.
Causes
Dental cavities can develop due to several factors. Here’s how it happens:
- Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugary and starchy foods and beverages like fruit, candy, bread, cereal, sodas, juice, and milk. The bacteria convert these carbohydrates into acids.
- A mixture of bacteria, acid, food particles, and saliva forms a sticky dental plaque covering your teeth.
- When proper brushing and flossing aren’t done, the acids in plaque can dissolve tooth enamel, creating cavities or holes in the enamel surface.
Stages of Tooth Decay
Cavities can affect different layers of your tooth. There are five main stages of tooth decay:
Demineralization: In this initial stage, you may see small, white, chalky spots on your tooth. This happens because minerals in your tooth enamel are breaking down.
Enamel decay: If untreated, tooth decay continues to break down your enamel. Cavities, or holes, may become noticeable at this point, and white spots may turn light brown.
Dentin decay: Dentin is a softer layer just beneath your enamel. Plaque and bacteria progress faster through this layer, and you may experience tooth sensitivity. The spots on your teeth may turn darker brown at this stage.
Pulp damage: The tooth pulp is the innermost layer and contains nerves and blood vessels. When cavities reach this stage, you may feel pain, notice redness and swelling in the gums around the tooth, and the spots on your tooth may turn even darker brown or black.
Abscessed tooth: If a deep cavity goes untreated, it can lead to an infection. This infection can result in a pocket of pus forming at the tip of your tooth root, called a periapical abscess.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase your risk of developing dental cavities, including:
- Dry mouth
- Consuming sugary or starchy foods and drinks and snacking between meals.
- Family history of tooth decay.
- Gum recession.
- Previous radiation therapy was used to treat head and neck cancer.
Diagnosis
The best way to detect dental cavities early is through regular dental checkups, typically twice a year. During these checkups, your dentist will use various tools to examine your teeth. When a dentist probes a tooth with a cavity, it will feel softer. Dental X-rays can also help identify dental cavities before they become visible.
Treatment
The treatment for dental cavities depends on how severe they are. There are several cavity treatment options:
Fluoride: In the early stages of tooth decay, fluoride treatments can help repair damaged enamel, a process known as remineralization. This can reverse the initial signs of dental cavities.
Treatment may involve prescription toothpaste, mouthwash, and fluoride applications at the dental office.
Dental fillings: When a hole has formed in your tooth, a dentist will remove the decayed tissue and fill the cavity. Dental fillings are made of tooth-colored composite resin, silver amalgam, or gold.
Root canal therapy: Root canal therapy relieves pain caused by advanced tooth decay. It is typically performed by endodontists, specialists who treat issues involving a tooth’s root. During this procedure, the endodontist removes the tooth pulp and fills the canals and pulp chamber with a unique gutta-percha material. A dental crown may sometimes be needed to strengthen the affected tooth.
Tooth extraction: If root canal therapy is not an option, your healthcare provider may recommend extracting the tooth, which means removing it. You might require a dental bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth in such cases. Your dentist will discuss the specific options available to you.
Prevention
You can prevent cavities by maintaining good oral hygiene practices, which include:
- Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily, ideally after every meal.
- Reduce your consumption of sugary and starchy foods and drinks, as they can contribute to cavities.
- Floss daily to remove food particles and plaque that can become trapped between your teeth.
- Visit your dentist for regular checkups at least twice a year. Depending on your risk factors, you may need more frequent dental visits if you’re prone to tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral health problems.
- Consider getting dental sealants. Dental sealants are protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of your teeth to help prevent cavities.
Conclusion
Hope now you are aware of the causes of dental cavities. Always look for symptoms of cavities to prevent further complications. Consult your dentist immediately if you see any signs. Regular dental visits prevent you from many oral problems.
