Cavities, Tooth Decay: Find Out the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cavities, Tooth Decay: Find Out the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Cavities are areas in your tooth surface that are permanently damaged and develops into small holes or cracks. They are also called caries. Many people have a mental image of cavities as huge black holes. While that image is true, they form only when tooth decay has progressed to a much more dangerous level.

What is a cavity/tooth decay?

Cavities (also called tooth decay) are holes formed in your tooth surface that occurs when bacteria in your mouth produce acid that damages the tooth’s enamel and its core layer, the dentin. When carbohydrates such as bread, cookies, juice, milk, candy, fruits get stuck on the teeth, bacteria which live in our mouth digest it and produce acids. These acids are the reason behind the loss of tooth enamel.

Causes of cavities and tooth decay

Cavities and tooth decay are caused by various factors, such as the presence of plaque and excess bacteria in your mouth, sipping sugary drinks, frequent snacking and not observing proper oral hygiene.

Symptoms of tooth decay

Commonly observed tooth decay symptoms are

• Pain

Tooth pain is one of the main symptoms of having a tooth cavity.

• Pressure

If you experience pain when biting your teeth together or feel increased tooth sensitivity, you may have a tooth cavity developing in your mouth. You will feel spikes of sudden pain the moment you try to consume anything.

• Pits

Teeth which are susceptible to cavity will typically develop a noticeable pit or hole in it. These holes will be more visible on a dental x-ray.

• Pus

If you have developed a cavity in your tooth, there will be pus around it.

Treatment

Cavities are a very common problem, and if detected early, they are easy to treat. Make an appointment with a dentist and tell him or her about the symptoms you are experiencing. Here are some of the treatment options for dental cavities:

• Fluoride treatments

Fluoride treatments are helpful if your tooth has just begun to form a cavity. It helps to restore your tooth’s enamel and can reverse a cavity sometimes in the very early stages.

• Fillings

Fillings, or restorations, are the primary treatment option if decay has progressed beyond the first stage. Fillings are made of different materials, such as porcelain, tooth-colored composite resins, or dental amalgam.

• Crowns

When the tooth decay has entered the advanced stage, you will have to opt for crowns which is a custom-fitted covering that substitutes your tooth’s entire visible portion. Before fitting a crown, the entire decayed portion of the tooth will be drilled away by your dentist.

• Root canals

This is a restorative treatment to save a severely infected tooth instead of extracting it. The affected tooth pulp is removed and replaced with a filling.

• Tooth extractions

The tooth may have to be extracted if it’s decayed beyond repair. In such cases, you can opt for a dental implant to replace the missing tooth.

Preventing tooth decay

To prevent tooth decay, you should

• Make a habit of regularly brushing your teeth daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride prevents minerals loss from tooth enamel and reduces the capabilities of bacteria to make acid which destroys the tooth.
• Floss regularly which will help prevent dental cavity by removing food particles between teeth.
• Use a good mouthwash. It is not only for cleaning the mouth or fresh breath; it also kills the bacteria which cause plaque.