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May 13th, 2024
Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is one of the most common health problems worldwide. It occurs when acids produced by bacteria in your mouth attack and dissolve the hard outer surface of your teeth, called enamel.
If tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, and even tooth loss. While very young children and older adults are at higher risk for tooth decay, it can affect people of all ages.
Addressing tooth decay early is essential to prevent further damage and more extensive dental treatment down the road.
What causes tooth decay? How can you recognize the signs of tooth decay? What are the available treatment options? We’d consider these and more in this article.
Before addressing what causes tooth decay, we need you to be able to recognize its symptoms. In its early stages, tooth decay may not cause any symptoms at all. However, as the decay process progresses, you may experience some of the following signs:
See your dentist immediately if you notice any signs, especially if accompanied by pain, swelling around the tooth, fever, difficulty swallowing or breathing. These can be symptoms of a severe abscess or infection that requires prompt treatment.
So, what actually cause tooth decay? While acids from bacteria are the direct cause of tooth decay, several key factors contribute to this process occurring:
Apart from the query, what causes tooth decay, another issue people are curious about is the idea of sugar being a causative factor.
Well, while sugar itself does not directly cause tooth decay, it does play a major contributing role by feeding the bacteria in your mouth that produce the decay-causing acids.
The bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli use sugars and starches from the foods and beverages you consume as a fuel source. As they metabolize these sugars, they release acids as a byproduct that attack and dissolve tooth enamel.
The more frequently you consume sugary foods and drinks like candy, cookies, sodas, juices, and sports drinks, the more frequently you are exposing your teeth to an acidic environment that promotes demineralization and cavity formation.
However, tooth decay can still occur in the absence of dietary sugars, as these bacteria can also metabolize starches from foods like crackers, bread, chips, and other snacks. This creates a similar acidic condition in the mouth.
To help prevent tooth decay, it’s best to limit the frequency of consuming sugary and starchy snacks and beverages. Try to avoid sipping on sweet drinks throughout the day. Be sure to brush and floss thoroughly after eating.
While completely cutting out sugar is impractical for most people, being mindful of your overall sugary food and beverage intake can go a long way toward keeping decay-causing bacteria under control.
Tooth decay is a progressive condition that worsens over time if left untreated. It typically occurs in the following stages:
A. Stage 1: Demineralization
At this early stage, the acids produced by bacteria cause small holes or microscopic areas of tooth erosion to form in the enamel surface. These look like white or brown spots on the tooth. The enamel damage is minor and can potentially be reversed with good oral hygiene and remineralization treatments.
B. Stage 2: Enamel Decay
If the demineralized areas continue to be exposed to acid attack, the enamel can break down further, forming a small cavity or pit on the tooth surface. At this point, the damage is physical and irreversible. Dietary changes, fluoride, and improved oral hygiene can help prevent further decay progression.
C. Stage 3: Dentin Decay
The cavity becomes deeper, penetrating through the enamel into the underlying dentin layer. Dentin is softer than enamel, so the decay can spread more quickly at this stage. You may experience pain or sensitivity at this stage.
D. Stage 4: Pulp Involvement
If decay advances far enough to reach the inner pulp tissue containing the nerves and blood vessels, it can cause severe pain and infection. At this advanced stage, a root canal treatment is usually required to save the tooth.
E. Stage 5: Abscess Formation
An untreated, decayed tooth can eventually become so infected that a pocket of pus (abscess) develops, potentially causing swelling of the face, fever, and other serious symptoms. Root canal treatment or extraction is necessary.
The best way to avoid advancing through these stages is to have tooth decay treated promptly in its earliest phase when a simple filling can restore the tooth.
The terms “tooth decay” and “cavity” are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing. It’s important to understand the distinction.
Tooth decay refers to the actual disease process that occurs when acids from oral bacteria demineralize and damage the hard outer surface of teeth.
Decay is what happens first, before a cavity forms. The decay damages and weakens areas of enamel through acid erosion over time. Proper dental care can sometimes reverse decay in its earliest stages before a physical cavity develops.
A cavity is the actual hole, pit, or physical damage that develops in the tooth as a result of the tooth decay process. Once decay breaks down enough enamel to leave a detectable gap, pocket or hole on the tooth surface, that is a cavity.
Cavities start out small and become bigger over time as the decay penetrates deeper layers of the tooth. They represent more advanced, permanent damage caused by ongoing decay that requires professional dental treatment.
You can have tooth decay occurring without a visible cavity present initially. But untreated decay will eventually lead to the formation of cavities. Tooth decay is the precursor problem that creates an environment allowing cavities to form over time.
Catching tooth decay early through regular dental exams gives an opportunity to remineralize and prevent decay from creating permanent cavities. But once a cavity is present, restorative treatment like a filling is required to repair it.
Now that you know what causes tooth decay, let’s address how to treat tooth decay at home.
While only a dentist can professionally treat cavities once they’ve formed, there are some home remedies that may help remineralize and reverse very early stages of tooth decay:
While these home methods may help in very early stages of enamel erosion, once decay creates a cavity, you will need professional treatment from a dentist to remove decayed areas and restore the tooth properly
If tooth decay has progressed to form a cavity or area of more significant enamel damage, professional treatment from a dentist is required to restore the tooth and prevent further decay. Depending on the extent of decay, a dentist may recommend one of the following procedures:
In some cases of severe, advanced tooth decay, the tooth may be too badly damaged to be repaired with a filling or crown. When decay penetrates deep into the inner layers and roots of the tooth, extraction (removal) may be necessary to prevent further infection and complications.
Here are some signs a tooth may need extraction:
Having a decayed tooth extracted typically involves:
After a tooth has been extracted, replacement options like dental implants, bridges or partial dentures can be considered to restore function and appearance.
While permanent tooth loss is never ideal, sometimes extraction is the best choice to relieve severe pain, halt infection spread, and promote overall oral health when a tooth cannot be viably restored.
Knowing what causes tooth decay is ideal, but what should you do if you think you may have a decayed tooth?
If you suspect you may have a cavity or area of tooth decay, it’s important to have it evaluated and treated promptly by a dentist.
Allowing decay to progress can lead to more extensive damage, pain, infection, and potential tooth loss.
Taking quick action at the first signs of potential decay, combined with thorough daily oral care, professional cleanings, and a tooth-friendly diet can help halt the decay process and minimize future damage. Don’t ignore tooth decay – the sooner it’s treated, the better!
Tooth decay is one of the most common health issues impacting children and adults alike. While largely preventable through good oral hygiene habits and a balanced diet, decay can progressively worsen and lead to pain, infection, and tooth loss if left untreated.
By understanding the causes of decay, being able to recognize the signs, and knowing what professional treatment options are available, you can take control of your oral health.
At C.W. Williams Community Health Center Inc., our experienced dental team prioritizes preventative care and education to help keep your smile healthy for life.
Whether you need a routine cleaning, fillings, pediatric dentistry services, or any other dental treatment, we provide affordable, high-quality care using the latest techniques and technology. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our convenient locations. Don’t let tooth decay keep you from achieving a confident, healthy smile!
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