A cavity is a hole that appears on the tooth; its appearance can vary depending on its location and severity. Cavities are among the most common health problems affecting people of all ages. Just because they are common it does not mean we should not take them seriously.
A cavity can worsen if not treated, making the teeth brittle and more prone to breaking or cracking. If we delay treatment, decay reaches the tooth nerves, exposing them to the air. This results in immense pain and tearing.
Cavities can cause pain, infection, bad breath, tooth damage, sensitivity, tooth loss, chewing problems, visible discoloration or dark spots, swelling, and more. Apart from severe toothache, cavities can pave the way for permanent damage. So, it is important to get fast and right treatment.
What Do You Mean By Cavity?
According to the Mayo Clinic, cavities are areas in the hard surface of the teeth that get damaged. Cavities cause holes or tiny openings in the teeth which usually develop from tooth decay or dental caries. Cavities often start small and painless but can become deeper over time. It usually forms when acids in the mouth erode the tooth’s hard outer layer, the enamel.
This happens when the bacteria attack the tooth, resulting in the removal of minerals from the enamel. Then, these acids reach the next layer of the tooth, dentin, which is softer and less resistant to acid, causing the enamel to weaken. This leads to decay and eventually a cavity. Cavities can be detected early with regular dental examinations and checkups. Even though cavities are difficult to notice in the early stages, they cause a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel.
What does a cavity look like?
Cavities are holes or openings in the tooth that appear as white, chalky, brown, or black spots on the tooth enamel. It can be hard to notice at the early stages as they can look like dislocation or tooth staining. When the cavity worsens the holes get darker and larger, it can consume almost the entire tooth. The symptoms of cavities include;
- Toothache and other pain.
- White, brown, or black stain on the surface of the tooth.
- Visible holes or openings on the teeth.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Swelling.
- Bleeding gums.
- Bad breath.
Cavities appear on the surface of the teeth, and they are of three types: smooth surface, pit and fissure decay, and root decay. Smooth surface cavities are the slow-growing cavities that dissolve the tooth enamel. It can be prevented or reversed with proper oral hygiene. Cavities are common among people in their 20s.
Pit and fissure decay form on the top part of the teeth’s chewing surface and can also affect the front side of the back teeth. This decay can start during the teenage years and progress quickly. Root decay, on the other hand, is common in adults who have receding gums. Gum recession exposes the roots of the teeth to dental plaque and acid. This decay is difficult to prevent and treat.
What causes a cavity?
Cavities can be caused by several reasons such as plaque buildup, overconsumption of sugary snacks, and poor oral hygiene. It is associated with factors like bacteria, food, and saliva. The mouth contains different types of bacteria and the harmful bacteria cause decay and other oral problems.
When harmful bacteria come into contact with sugars and starches from the food and drinks we consume, they produce acids, which lead to the destruction of tooth enamel. Food items like candy, cereals, milk, juice, fruit, and bread feed the bacteria in the mouth and the sticky candies, sweets, and starchy food get stuck in the teeth.
When the bacteria, food, acid, and saliva mix, they form dental plaque, which is a sticky substance that coats the teeth. Not brushing and flossing properly can cause the acids in the plaque to dissolve the tooth’s enamel and create cavities.
How to treat a cavity?
To diagnose cavities, it is important to follow up with regular dental checkups. The earlier you get medical help, the better the chances of treating and reversing the first stages of tooth decay. You won’t need a lot of treatments and you can stop cavities from getting worse if you consult the dentist as soon as you notice the symptoms. Some of the treatments for cavities include;
- Dental fillings:
Dental fillings are the most common and main treatment option for cavities. Once holes or openings appear in the mouth, the dentist drills out the decayed tissue and fills the hole with a filling material. Dental fillings are made of composite (tooth-colored material), gold, or silver amalgam.
- Root canal therapy:
Root canal therapy is done when the decay reaches the inner material of the tooth (pulp). This treatment relieves pain by removing the tooth pulp and filling the canals and pulp chamber with a special filling material. Root canal therapy helps repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth rather than reviving it.
- Crowns:
The crown is recommended if you have a lot of decay or weekend teeth. A crown is a custom-fitted covering that is used to replace the entire teeth’s natural crown. This treatment helps protect the teeth and lowers the risk of damage. The crowns can be of any material, gold, resin, or high-strength porcelain.
- Fluoride:
Fluoride treatment helps restore the tooth’s enamel and can even reverse a cavity in the very early stages. It can help repair a damaged enamel by a process called remineralization. Fluoride treatments can be in a gel, liquid, foam, or varnish form.
- Tooth extractions:
Some decay causes the teeth to be seriously damaged. This condition cannot be restored and must be removed. This treatment is recommended when root canal therapy is not possible. Having a tooth pulled leaves a gap that allows other teeth to adjust and shift. You can also consider a dental implant or bridge to replace the missing tooth.
Tips to prevent cavities
You can prevent cavities and other oral problems by following proper oral hygiene. You can take the following measures to protect the teeth from cavities;
- Brush twice daily.
- Floss the teeth.
- Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Cut down on sugary foods and drinks.
- Rinse the mouth properly after every meal to prevent plaque and food from being stuck between teeth.
- Frequent dental checkups.
- Follow a healthy diet.
- Stay hydrated.
- Get dental sealants.
- Limit snacking.
When to consult a doctor?
Cavities should be treated as soon as possible as they can worsen over time. Cavities do not go away on their own and if you notice symptoms like bleeding gums, toothache or mouth pain, signs of infection, swollen face, and difficulty chewing, you should seek treatment quickly.
If you notice signs of cavities, do not delay the treatment, as early detection can help reverse the first stages of tooth decay and prevent further damage. Go for regular dental checkups as it can help detect any oral problems at the earliest.
Conclusion
Cavities are among the most common health problems affecting people of all ages. It causes holes or tiny openings in the teeth which usually develop from tooth decay or dental caries. It can worsen if not treated and delaying treatment will only result in further complications and even permanent damage to the teeth.
Cavities can cause pain, infection, bad breath, tooth damage, sensitivity, tooth loss, chewing problems, visible discoloration or dark spots, and swelling. Cavities often start small and painless but can become deeper over time. Even though cavities are difficult to notice in the early stages, they cause a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel. It can be treated with dental fillings, root canal therapy, crowns, fluoride, and tooth extractions.
Taking measures like brushing and flossing twice daily, reducing sugary food and drink intake, staying hydrated, limiting snacking, a healthy diet, and regular checkups can help prevent cavities and other oral problems to an extent. Remember that, cavities do not go away on their own and if you notice symptoms like bleeding gums, toothache or mouth pain, signs of infection, or a swollen face, you should seek treatment quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
To know if you have a cavity, look for symptoms like tooth sensitivity, pain while chewing, visible holes or openings in the teeth, brown, white, or black stain on the tooth’s surface, toothache, or facial swelling.
A cavity does not go away on its own and can worsen over time if not treated.
The early stages of cavities can be hard to notice but you observe a small chalky, white, area on the tooth enamel. As the cavities worsen, you will develop a brown or black spot on your tooth.
You cannot treat a cavity by yourself and you need to seek the help of a dentist to cure its underlying cause. However, you can ease its symptoms like toothache and inflammation with warm salt water rinse, clove oil, and cold compress.
Removing a cavity, or a cavity filling is not painful as the dentists use local anesthetics before the procedure.
Cutting out sugary food and drinks, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, sugar-free gum, rinsing with warm salt water, oil pulling, vitamin D intake, and licorice root are some of the best home remedies for cavities.
