The tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. It is the protective outermost layer of teeth. Mouth bacteria use the sugars we ingest to generate acids, which can eat at this enamel, wearing it down. When this happens, cavities may form. So, what are these cavities? This blog explains what they are and why you should address them.

What Cavities Are

Cavities are also called tooth decay or dental caries. They are holes that form in teeth. Cavities begin small and slowly grow bigger when left untreated, affecting deeper tooth layers. In the initial stages, cavities look like white spots, which can heal. With time, they will look like black or brown spots. Since, in many cases, cavities do not cause pain at the start, realizing that you have them can be challenging. Routine dental visits can detect cavities early.

Cavities are among the most prevalent health problems worldwide. They are particularly common in older adults, teenagers, and children. However, anybody with teeth can have them, including babies. It may surprise you to learn you have tooth decay. This is particularly so if you believe you practice good oral hygiene habits. However, do not panic if you have them; there are various ways of treating cavities and preventing new ones from developing.

Cavities develop when mouth acids erode the enamel. They can appear in many places, although they frequently appear on the chewing surface of the teeth and in between teeth where food becomes stuck. Cavities not addressed can cause infections, pain, and sensitivity. In the worst-case scenario, they can lead to tooth loss. Preventing tooth decay is the ideal way to avoid the loss of your teeth and maintain their health.

Types of Dental Cavities

Tooth decay can begin on the surface of any tooth. Here are the prevalent types of dental caries and the locations where they form:

  • Root cavities. These develop on the surfaces of exposed tooth roots. Grownups with receding gums face a higher risk of having root cavities. Gum recession makes tooth roots vulnerable to acid and plaque. Root cavities are challenging to treat and prevent. If you are at risk of gum recession, consult your general dentist on whether you should see a periodontist.
  • Pit and fissure cavities. These types of cavities develop on the teeth’s chewing surface. They also can impact the front part of your rear teeth. These cavities tend to begin in the teenage years and progress much faster.
  • Smooth surface cavities. This slow-growing decay dissolves the enamel. With proper dental hygiene, it is preventable and, at times, reversible. Individuals in their twenties often experience smooth surface cavities between their teeth.

Causes of Tooth Cavities

Several factors contribute to tooth decay development. The development of cavities is a process occurring over time. Here is how it happens:

Plaque develops. Mouth bacteria feed on starchy, sugary drinks and foods (candy, fruit, cereal, bread, milk, juice, and sodas). The bacteria then convert these drinks and foods into acids if you do not clean your teeth properly. With time, the acids, bacteria, saliva, and food mix to generate plaque that coats teeth. Plaque refers to a clear, sticky substance. Plaque that lingers on teeth hardens above or under the gum line into tartar, which is more challenging to clean away. Tartar forms a defense for bacteria, and the dentist must remove it by professional teeth cleaning.

Plaque attacks. Without proper dental cleaning, acids in the mouth remove minerals from the enamel and later dissolve it. The erosion leads to tiny holes or openings in the tooth enamel (cavities). This is the initial stage of tooth decay. Once parts of the tooth enamel are eroded, the acid and bacteria can access the second layer of the tooth, known as dentin. The dentin is a softer layer than the tooth enamel and is less acid-resistant, making your teeth more sensitive.

The damage progresses. As caries develop, the acids and bacteria move through the teeth and to the pulp (the innermost tooth layer) that contains blood vessels and nerves. The pulp swells and becomes irritated from these acids and bacteria. The pulp is the last layer, meaning there will be no space for the swelling to expand inside a tooth. In that case, the nerves become pressed, resulting in pain. At times, damage and pain can spread from the tooth root to the bone, leading to bone loss around the particular tooth and nearby teeth.

Stages of Dental Cavities

Tooth decay can impact all the tooth layers. There are primarily five stages of tooth decay:

Demineralization. This is the first stage of tooth decay. You might notice small, chalky white spots on teeth at this stage. These spots occur as the minerals in the enamel are broken down.

Enamel decay. If not treated, dental caries progress and continue to erode your enamel. During this stage, cavities might become visible. White spots might turn to become light brownish.

Dentin decay. The dentin is the second layer, just underneath the enamel. It is softer than the enamel. Therefore, once bacteria and plaque spread to this layer, decay happens faster. During this stage of decay, you may experience tooth sensitivity. The marks on your tooth might also turn dark brown.

Damage to the pulp. The pulp refers to the innermost tooth layer. It contains blood vessels and nerves that keep teeth alive and transport nutrients. When the decay reaches the pulp, you might experience pain. You might also start noticing swelling and redness in the gums surrounding the affected tooth. The spots on your tooth’s surface might turn black or darker brown.

Abscessed tooth. If not treated, deep cavities may lead to infection. This causes periapical abscesses (pus-filled pockets that develop at the tips of tooth roots). Symptoms might include pain that extends into your face or jaw. You might also have swollen neck lymph nodes and facial swelling. At this stage of cavities, an abscess can spread to the surrounding tissue and other body areas. Rarely, infection can spread even to your bloodstream or brain (sepsis).

Early Detection of Cavities Is Key: Recognizing the Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of tooth decay vary based on the number of cavities you have and their location. When decay is just setting in, you might not experience any symptoms. This refers to when the decay is still on the enamel surface. However, as it enlarges and goes past the enamel into the pulp and dentin, it might cause various symptoms. These include:

  • Rough tooth surface. Running your tongue over the tooth may reveal a rough area where enamel erosion has occurred.
  • Visible discoloration. Black, brown, or white spots on the tooth's surface may signal a cavity.
  • Tooth sensitivity: You may have increased sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet drinks and foods.
  • You might experience mild to sharp pain in the affected tooth, particularly when drinking or chewing something cold or hot.
  • Noticeable pits or holes in the affected teeth
  • Pain whenever you bite down
  • Facial swelling
  • Mouth pain
  • Bleeding gums or other indications of gum disease
  • A bad taste or foul breath in your mouth

Tooth Decay Risk Factors

Anybody with teeth can develop cavities. However, these factors increase the risk:

Dry mouth. Dry mouth results from a lack of saliva. Saliva assists in preventing cavities by washing off plaque and food from tooth surfaces. Substances in saliva also counter the acids bacteria produce. Certain medications, medical conditions, chemo drugs, or radiation to your neck or head can increase the risk of dental caries by lowering saliva production. 

Not receiving sufficient fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally occurring. It helps prevent tooth cavities and may reverse the initial tooth damage stages. Due to its benefits, many public water supplies have fluoride added. It is also a prevalent ingredient in mouth rinses and toothpaste. However, bottled water does not usually contain fluoride.

Failing to brush your teeth properly. Plaque forms faster if you do not clean your teeth after drinking and eating. When this happens, the initial stages of cavities can begin.

Bedtime baby feeding. When you give your baby bedtime bottles of milk, juice, formula, or other sugar-containing liquids, they linger on their teeth for a long time as they sleep. The liquids then feed decay-causing bacteria. This damage is often called baby bottle tooth decay.

Sipping or snacking a lot. When you sip or snack on sugary foods a lot, you fuel mouth bacteria more to produce acids that eat at your teeth, wearing them down. Sipping soda and other acidic beverages daily helps form a constant acid bath on your teeth.

Certain drinks and foods. Foods that remain on your teeth for an extended period are highly likely to trigger decay than those easily washed down by saliva. These goods include ice cream, milk, sugar, honey, dried fruit, soda, cookies, cake, mints, hard candy, chips, and dried cereal.

Tooth location. Cavities most often occur in the rear teeth (premolars and molars). That is because premolars and molars have plenty of pits, crannies, grooves, and numerous roots that can harbor food debris. That is why it is more challenging to keep them clean than the smoother, easier-to-clean front teeth.

Age. Cavities are prevalent in teenagers and young children, but older adults are also susceptible. With time, gums might recede, and teeth may wear down, exposing them to caries. Older adults may also use more medications that lower saliva flow, increasing the risk of cavities. 

Treating Dental Cavities

Routine checkups can help detect tooth decay and other dental-related problems before they result in more severe problems. The earlier you seek dental care, the higher your possibility of reversing the initial stages of cavities and preventing them from worsening. If you treat a cavity before it begins to cause pain, you likely will not require much treatment. Treating cavities is based on your situation and how severe they are. There are several treatment options, including the following:

Dental fillings. Fillings are also called restorations and are the primary treatment for cavities. Fillings are made of different materials, like dental amalgam (a combination of multiple materials), porcelain or resin, or tooth-colored composite.

Root canals. If decay has reached the pulp, you might require root canal therapy. This refers to treatment to correct and save a badly infected or damaged tooth rather than extracting it. Your dentist removes the diseased pulp. They may then put medicine in the root canal to eliminate any infection. The dentist then replaces the pulp with a dental pulp. 

Dental crowns. You might need a tooth crown if you have weakened teeth or plenty of decay. A crown is a customized cover that replaces the tooth’s natural crown. A dental crown protects the tooth’s stability and reduces the likelihood of fracture. The dentist will drill off the decayed part and part of the tooth to obtain a perfect fit. Dental crowns can be made from gold, porcelain, or resin.

Fluoride treatments. If the decay has just begun, a fluoride treatment might help reverse the cavity and restore your enamel. A professional fluoride treatment contains more fluoride material than mouth rinses, toothpaste, and tap water. The treatment might be gel, liquid, varnish, or foam that the dentist brushes onto your teeth or places in a tray and fits over the teeth.

Tooth extractions. Sometimes, teeth become so severely decayed that restoring them is impossible, and extraction is the only option. A dentist pulling out the affected teeth can leave space, allowing the remaining surrounding teeth to move in an attempt to occupy that space. If possible, obtain a tooth implant or bridge to replace your missing tooth.

Preventing Tooth Cavities

Proper dental and oral hygiene can assist in preventing you from developing tooth decay. Here are tips to assist in preventing tooth decay. Ask your dental professional what tips are ideal.

  • Brush at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Use a dental floss or interdental cleaner to remove plaque and food debris in-between teeth
  • Rinse your mouth using mouthwash containing fluoride
  • Minimize starchy and sugary drinks and foods
  • Schedule regular dental visits (at least every six months) for professional dental cleaning. You can also undergo routine oral examinations, which help prevent dental problems or detect them early.

Why You Should Take Care of Dental

Fortunately, treating tooth decay is relatively more straightforward for dental professionals to conduct in the initial stages with root canal therapy, crowns, fillings, or fluoride treatments. If you have tooth decay, you want to seek treatment as early as possible to:

  • Prevent serious pain
  • Avoid or limit the oral health and cosmetic concerns the decay can cause
  • Assist in ensuring teeth are not lost because of cavities

Untreated Tooth Decay Can Become Increasingly Painful

Many people assume tooth decay is not urgent when it does not cause a cosmetic problem or discomfort. However, even though cavities might take time to be painful, the sensitivity and pain can quickly become serious after the tooth root is exposed. When this happens, a more extensive treatment, like tooth extraction or root canal, will be necessary. Thus, it is advisable to undergo treatment before the decay worsens and becomes painful.

Cavities Can Result In Severe Dental Health Issues

If cavities are not treated, they can result in some severe oral health problems. Some possible problems that may develop due to untreated tooth decay include tooth loss, dental abscess, oral infection, and deep decay.

The more serious the tooth decay is, the more comprehensive the treatment will be to restore the affected tooth. A minor decay, for example, can be filled using a filling. However, severe cavities might need root canal treatment followed by the placement of a crown.

Cavities Lead to Cosmetic Concerns

Among the primary reasons you should undergo treatment for tooth decay is due to the cosmetic concerns they may cause. That is particularly so if they form on noticeable tooth surfaces or highly noticeable teeth. Treating cavities is not necessarily a cosmetic procedure, though it has cosmetic benefits. For example, dental professionals can utilize tooth-colored fillings to ensure the treated tooth blends in perfectly with the original teeth after restoration.

Restoring Cavities Can Assist In Preventing Tooth Loss

Once decay is so serious that root canal treatment is insufficient to save the affected tooth, tooth extraction will likely be necessary. Teeth might fall off without the need to be removed, too, if you ignore treating cavities for so long. This may result in you requiring teeth replacement, which generally is far more expensive and invasive.

Find a Professional Dentist Near Mel

If you believe you have cavities or are interested in preventive care, consult a dentist as soon as possible. We have already discussed what cavities can do if left untreated and that the early stages may not exhibit any symptoms. That said, a dental examination will help you determine whether you have cavities and the next steps.

At Ganji Dental, we offer cavity treatment and preventive measures for patients looking for them in Hawthorne, CA. At your first appointment, we can check your teeth to establish the ideal way to address your situation and other dental health problems you might have. To set up a dental visit and consultation, call us today at 310-643-8045.