Please take a moment to answer this question before you read the article. Have you ever experienced brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, only to find out from your dentist that you have tooth decay and suggest one or multiple cavity treatments? This article is for you if you can relate to this scenario despite your best efforts.
This article explains how decay enters your teeth and offers tips for preventing and treating cavities. We’ll discuss risk factors, explore 2024 treatments, and answer common questions. Our DentSpa experts highlight cavities and their treatment, covering their formation and prevention. Let’s begin.
What is a Tooth Cavity?
To understand dental cavities, it’s important to understand two related terms: tooth decay, dental caries, and Plaque. Tooth decay is a common oral disease caused by various factors that lead to the demineralization of tooth structure, particularly the loss of dentin and enamel. As the disease progresses, it can lead to the accumulation of dental Plaque.
It’s important to note that dental Plaque and cavities are not the same things. Dental Plaque is a biofilm that attaches to the tooth surface and is composed of various bacteria, including Streptococcus mutants and Lactobacillus species, the primary organisms that cause cavities. If left untreated, dental Plaque can eventually lead to the formation of cavities.
These bacteria metabolize dietary sugars to produce acid, lowering the oral environment’s pH. When the pH drops below a critical level, usually around 5.5 for enamel and 6.5 for dentin, the tooth structure demineralizes, leading to a carious lesion or cavity.
Tooth cavities affect the tooth’s appearance and cause structural damage by creating holes in it. Additionally, they can lead to serious health problems if left untreated and result in tooth abscesses due to the accumulation of bacteria. Therefore, recognizing the complications and treating cavities promptly in the early stages is crucial.
What Causes Tooth Cavity?
To understand what causes tooth cavities you should first understand how to get the tooth plaque that will lead to tooth cavities. Tooth plaque and tooth cavities are widely spread amongst children and teenagers, but that doesn’t mean it’s limited to them. It can occur to people of any age but understanding how tooth decay, tarter, and plaque formation will lead you to conclude that younger ages are more likely to have it. Below are some practices that have a role in having plaques that lead to tooth cavities alongside risk factors:
Plaque and Tartar
Plaque is the main cause of cavity formation. It’s a sticky film forming on teeth due to excessive sugars and starches. These substances feed bacteria, creating an acidic environment that allows them to thrive. If plaque is left untreated and not removed, it eventually hardens into tartar, leading to enamel erosion.
As enamel wears off, it creates an opening in the enamel, allowing bacteria to reach the softer layers of the tooth, causing sensitivity. As time goes by, this decaying process can penetrate the tooth, reaching the pulp. At this point, symptoms like severe pain and swelling may occur due to nerve compression and tooth cavity, and it can cause damage to surrounding and supporting structures like bone, resulting in bone loss and affecting adjacent teeth. Understanding how cavities form highlights the importance of regular check-ups at the dentist’s office to prevent serious damage caused by plaque buildup.
SugaryFood and Drinks
Food particles and sugary drink remains are among the reasons for plaque formation. During the day, we usually eat many kinds of foods with different structures. Still, certain foods can cling to your teeth for longer times and are not easily washed off naturally with saliva. Foods such as flavoured milk, honey, soda, dried fruit, potato chips, breakfast cereals, hard candy, and other processed foods not made from natural ingredients can stick to your teeth. These factory-made items disrupt the natural balance of your mouth’s pH, leading to tooth cavities.
Besides the primary causes of dental cavities, several risk factors contribute to their development, as outlined below:
- Tooth Location: When brushing our teeth, we often overlook the back teeth or certain chewing surfaces on the back, which increases the risk of food particle accumulation and decay later on.
- Low Fluoride Levels: Fluoride is a very important mineral that can prevent decay and plaque in its early stages, but not having enough of it can put you at a higher risk of tooth plaque and tooth cavities.
- Age Matters: It has been observed that tooth cavities are more common among teenagers, as they tend to consume sugary diets and neglect their dental hygiene. However, tooth cavities can also occur in older age groups, albeit at a lower frequency.
- Dry Mouth: Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing bacteria and clearing food particles. Those with dry mouth, including individuals with autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s or those on chemotherapy, face a higher cavity risk.
- Having Eating Disorders or Gastrointestinal Issues: Frequent heartburn can cause stomach acid to erode tooth enamel. Similarly, bulimia or anorexia involves vomiting that increases mouth acid levels, leading to enamel damage and higher cavity risk.
How can I tell if I have a dental cavity?
If you suspect a dental cavity, you may experience pain, heat sensitivity, and bad breath. However, these symptoms can also indicate other dental issues, so it is important to consult with your dentist.
Cavity Treatments in 2024
Like any other medical issue, cavities are best treated early. Regular checkups with your dentist can catch cavities before they worsen. Delaying treatment makes it more challenging and costly. Here are the updated treatment options for cavities:
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, strengthens teeth and reduces decay risk. Dentists apply treatments like gels, foams, or varnishes to remineralize teeth and protect against sugary foods and drinks.
- Dental fillings: This procedure removes decay and fills the tooth with materials like resin or porcelain, which blend with the tooth’s natural color. Fillings also repair damage from teeth grinding.
- Crowns: For teeth weakened by cavities, especially molars, dentists often recommend crowns made from materials like zirconia or porcelain to protect and strengthen them.
- Root Canal: This treatment removes infected pulp from a decayed tooth, alleviating pain and preserving the tooth’s structure with a permanent filling.
- Tooth Extraction: If a tooth is severely decayed and beyond saving, extraction may be necessary. After removing the tooth, dentists discuss replacement options like bridges or implants to prevent further damage to gums and bones.
How many visits do I need for cavity treatment?
The duration of dental treatment and the number of visits required cannot be standardized. It depends on several factors, such as the number of affected teeth, size of the cavity, location and type of cavity and decay, and the patient’s medical history. It’s also crucial to consider the presence of any infection. All these factors are assessed during the first visit, and a treatment plan is formulated accordingly.
Are dental cavities painful?
Most patients discover cavities after experiencing pain or sensitivity to hot or cold drinks. However, some patients may not report any symptoms, as the experience can vary from person to person. It is common for individuals with infected cavities to rush to dental emergencies due to severe pain, fever, facial swelling, or pus.
What can I do to Prevent Tooth Cavity?
After examining the causes of dental cavities, it is reasonable to conclude that poor habits and practices by patients are the primary cause. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend similar preventive measures.
- Mindful eating: Prioritizing a balanced diet is key to preventing tooth cavities and other health issues. Reduce sugar intake by substituting juice with water and avoiding added sugars in tea or coffee. Choose proteins and fibers over sugary cereals or processed foods to avoid frequent snacking.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral health is crucial for preventing cavities. Brush at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, and use mouth rinses to eliminate food particles and reduce the risk of infections.
- Staying Hydrated: Saliva is crucial for removing food particles. For those with dry mouth from medical conditions or medications, drinking enough water is essential to compensate for reduced saliva production.
- Applying Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are a thin coating applied to the chewing surface of your back molars and premolars. It works as a shield that protects your teeth from any bacteria that may lead to cavities.
- Routine checkups and Fluoride Treatment: Keeping up with regular dental checkups is an effective way to prevent tooth cavities and other dental issues. It’s important to discuss any preventive measures for cavities with your dentist, such as dental sealants or fluoride treatment. Your dentist will recommend the best options for you.
Is it safe for pregnant women to go under cavity treatment?
Dental professionals generally consider cavity treatment safe for pregnant women. However, they often postpone lengthy procedures, especially during the last trimester, until after delivery.
Contact Dentspa
At DentSpa, our qualified team is up to date with all the latest preventive and treatment options for cavities. We also offer one-day surgery visits for our international patients. During your stay in Istanbul, we are happy to support you by ensuring you receive timely treatment. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
It is important to note that dental cavities are a serious health concern that can be avoided by practicing good oral and self-care. Therefore, it is crucial to visit your dentist early on to prevent further complications.
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