Tooth cavities are caused due to plaque buildup in our teeth which leads to tooth sensitivity and pain. A cavity which is also called tooth decay is a hole that forms in our tooth.
Cavities start small and then slowly become bigger if left untreated and they don’t cause any pain in the beginning but it can be a little hard to realize that a problem exists.
Going for regular dental appointments helps in detecting tooth decay at an early stage.
Cavities and tooth decay are some of the most common health problems in the world today. Anyone with teeth can develop cavities including babies. However, there are many treatment options as well.
Some common symptoms of a cavity depend on the severity of the decay. They include:
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth pain
- A visible hole in your teeth
- Black or white staining on your teeth
Everyone has bacteria in their mouth which turn sugar into acid. Plague starts forming on the teeth after drinking or eating anything sugary. This is why it is important to brush our teeth regularly.
Plague then sticks to our teeth and the acid is plaque so it slowly erodes the tooth enamel which is a hard and protective coating on our teeth that protects against tooth decay. As the tooth enamel weakens, the risk of decay increases.
Everyone is at a risk for cavities but some people are at a higher risk than the others. The risk factors include-
- Too many sugary or acidic foods and drinks
- A poor hygiene routine
- Not getting enough fluoride
- Dry mouth
- Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia
Treatment options
It’s important to inform the doctor first about uncomfortable symptoms like tooth sensitivity or pain. Tooth decay can be identified after an oral exam. However, some cavities aren’t visible from an oral exam. So then one uses a dental x-ray to look for decay.
The treatment options depend on the severity. There are several ways to treat a cavity.
Tooth fillings
Using a drill remove the decayed material from the tooth. Then the tooth is filled with a substance like silver, gold, or composite resin.
Crowns
For a more severe tooth decay, a custom-fit cap is placed over the tooth and replaces its natural crown. The decayed tooth material is removed before starting this procedure.
Root canal
When tooth decay causes the death of the nerves, then a root canal is performed to save the tooth. Then the nerve tissue, blood vessel tissues, and any other decayed area of the tooth is removed. Then the mouth is checked for infections and medication is applied to the roots as needed. Finally, the tooth is filled and maybe even a crown is placed on it.
Early stage treatment
When a tooth cavity is detected in the early stage, then a fluoride treatment is used to restore the tooth enamel and prevent further decay.
Dealing with pain
- Cavities and tooth decay can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Some of the ways to deal with discomfort temporarily are-
- Keep up your oral hygiene routine- continue to brush your teeth twice a day and clean all parts of your mouth including the sensitive areas.
- Try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers- check whether you can use the OTC aesthetics.
- Watch what you eat- try to stay away from extremely hot or cold foods while eating or drinking.
