The three types of tooth decay are shown here. Cavities are decayed areas of the teeth that turn into small openings or holes. Smooth surface cavities occur on the smooth sides of the teeth, while root cavities develop on the surface above the roots. Pit and fissure cavities occur on the chewing surface of the teeth.
Not cleaning your teeth properly, snacking frequently and drinking sugary drinks are the main culprits of cavities. Tooth decay is damage to the surface or enamel of a tooth. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acids that attack enamel. Tooth decay can cause tooth decay (tooth decay), which are holes in the teeth.
If tooth decay isn't treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss. Tooth decay can occur when acid is produced from plaque, which builds up in the teeth. Tooth decay occurs when foods that are high in carbohydrates, such as fruits, candy, bread, or milk, stick to the surface of the teeth. Bacteria in the mouth then digest these pieces of food and convert them to acids, causing plaque to build up on the teeth.
Tooth decay is a common oral health issue that can lead to tooth loss or more serious dental problems. Learn more about how tooth decay occurs, and how to protect yourself against it.
Bacteria in plaque convert the sugars in foods and drinks into acids that eat away at your teeth's enamel. If left untreated, tooth decay progresses through five stages.
Toothache
A toothache is a common symptom of a dental problem, and it can be incredibly painful. It can affect your ability to eat and drink, sleep well at night, and focus on work or school.
It can also be a warning sign of a serious issue, such as gum disease or an infection in the root of the tooth.
If you’re suffering from a sharp or throbbing pain that doesn’t go away on its own, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Generally, most toothaches are caused by tooth decay, or the beginnings of a cavity. This is because bacteria in plaque eat through the hard, white coating on your teeth (enamel).
Sensitivity
If your teeth hurt when you eat or drink hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, or from brushing, you might be experiencing tooth sensitivity. It’s a common symptom that can be triggered by many different conditions, including decay, gum disease, and exposed tooth roots.
Sensitivity can be a sign of a serious dental problem like cavities, and it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
The most common cause of tooth sensitivity is the erosion of the enamel that protects our teeth. Over time, enamel erodes and exposes the dentin, which contains microscopic tubules packed with nerves.
Pain
Pain is a common symptom of tooth decay, but it can also be caused by a number of different things. If you have an infected tooth, for example, it might cause throbbing pain or pain that wakes you up at night.
Often, it’s the soft pink pulp that contains nerves and blood vessels that gets infected or inflamed. When that happens, the pain becomes even more intense.
The pulp is the center of your tooth and it’s made up of tissue and cells that produce dentin (the softer material underneath the enamel). As dental decay progresses, it can start to reach this softer substance, which exposes the nerves.
Fillings
Fillings are used to repair teeth with minor cracks, chips or decay. They are also often used to help treat tooth sensitivity due to loss of enamel.
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria and sugars in the mouth start to break down your tooth's outer layer of enamel (the hard, white part). When the damage isn't treated, it can cause pain and spread to the pulp inside your tooth, which contains nerves.
To prevent cavities, brush your teeth twice a day, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. And visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and prophylaxis treatments to ensure that any issues are detected early and treated correctly.
Root Canal
If tooth decay gets to the soft tissue (pulp) underneath the enamel and dentin, a root canal is needed to remove it. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue that are essential to the growth and development of the tooth.
During the treatment, tiny dental instruments are used to remove the infected tissue from inside your tooth. Then, your dentist cleans, disinfects and shapes the pulp chamber and root canals.
Once the tooth’s canals are empty, a rubber compound called gutta percha is placed into them to fill them and prevent bacteria from entering the tooth again. A temporary filling is then put in place to protect the tooth until your next appointment when a crown is put in place.
Tooth decay is the disease known as tooth decay or tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by certain bacteria in the mouth that thrive on sugars and refined carbohydrates and produce acids as a side effect. The acids first adhere to the hard outer layer of the tooth (enamel). The acids eventually penetrate the tooth and reach the tooth's softer mineral (dentin).
If left untreated, tooth decay can destroy large portions of the tooth and infect the nerve (pulp) in the center of the tooth. In older adults, exposed root surfaces are also at risk of tooth decay. Tooth decay is a highly preventable disease with many contributing factors. Without treatment, bacteria will enter the pulp (the soft center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels).
These may be signs of the late stages of tooth decay or another dental condition that requires care. The main risk factors for tooth decay are not taking care of your teeth and consuming too many sugary or starchy foods and beverages. A tooth abscess requires immediate treatment, because the infection can spread to the jaw bones and other areas of the head and neck. If the amount of acid in the bacteria in the teeth exceeds the protective effect of saliva, tooth decay will occur.
Increased inflammation in the tooth can cause a pocket of pus to form in the lower part of the tooth, called an abscess. It's important to do this as soon as possible, because the longer decay is left untreated, the more it will spread to the tooth. In its initial stages it may appear as a white or dark spot on the tooth, but as more mineral is lost, a cavity or hole may appear. When tooth decay isn't treated for too long, you can lose a large part of your tooth and need an extraction.
During the procedure, the dentist will clean the damaged pulp, fill the resulting cavity and place a protective crown on the tooth. Your dentist can treat early areas of tooth decay with fluoride or other products to help with this process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the United States. Advanced tooth decay can cause a serious infection inside the tooth and under the gums (tooth abscess).
You'll know you're in this third stage of tooth decay when you start to feel extreme tooth sensitivity when you drink hot or cold drinks, especially sugary drinks, and when you eat. However, cavities and cavities can have serious and long-lasting complications, even in children who don't yet have permanent teeth. .
