On a recent visit to the dentist, your dentist may have informed you that you have some dental cavities that need immediate attention. You may find it odd because you didn’t notice them while brushing your teeth. Nor did you feel any pain. Nevertheless, fixing the cavities in your mouth is now a part of your dental treatment plan.
But what are cavities, and what happens when you don’t treat them immediately?
What Are Dental Cavities?
When you visit the dentist, the dental professional will take x-ray images of your teeth to understand how to treat your teeth. Dentists can see abscesses and impacted wisdom teeth. And they can also see dental caries in your teeth, which are more commonly known as cavities.
They are small holes that form on the outer part of the tooth called the enamel. Tooth cavities don’t remain on the enamel, however. If left untreated, they can eat away at the layer of the tooth under the enamel known as dentin and even go as far as the pulp.
How Cavities Form
You may be wondering why you have cavities when you take good care of your teeth and keep consistent dental checkups. While flossing and brushing keep your teeth in good condition, your teeth can still develop cavities. Your mouth is a significant source of bacteria. Nearly 700 bacteria exist in the mouth alone, both bad and good.
The good bacteria help keep your teeth healthy, while the harmful bacteria is what form on your teeth as plaque. This excess buildup of harmful bacteria usually comes from consuming unhealthy food and drinks such as sodas, sugary candies, juices, and other sweets.
The acids in the plaque eventually start to erode the enamel on your teeth, creating tiny holes. Some holes in your teeth may be so small that only a dentist will see them using x-rays.
However, some cavities are big enough for you or your dentist to see with your own eyes. While cavities may be common in children, adults are also prone to getting cavities. The longer you allow the cavities to go untreated, the more the plaque spreads through the tooth, leading to severe pain. When the progression of the damage gets this far, this could cause very costly expenses in fixing your teeth. What may have only cost about $100 to patch up could run thousands of dollars if the decay penetrates further into the nerves of your teeth.
What Happens When You Don’t Treat Cavities Right Away?
When a dentist points out that you have cavities, it is a good idea to get them treated right away. If you don’t treat them right away or don’t know you have them because you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, they can worsen.
The microscopic holes can gradually grow and erode the entire tooth. Here are a few problems that can arise if you don’t get treatment for your cavities right away.
● The damages can spread to other teeth
● Your tooth can develop an abscess
● There may be difficulty chewing
● Sensitivity may develop where the decaying tooth is
● Your tooth may break even under the least amount of pressure
● The damage to the nerves could cause you immense pain
● You could develop bad breath
● A severe tooth infection could be life-threatening, causing sepsis, sinus thrombosis, or Ludwig’s angina
The longer you allow the cavity to develop, the more you will need severe treatment. Instead of letting cavities get out of control, it’s best to treat them as soon as a dentist makes you aware.
How Dentists Fix Cavities
One of the most common ways dentists fix cavities is by filling them. First, a dentist will have to numb the gums, teeth, and surrounding skin with a local anesthetic to minimize your discomfort while they fill your cavities.
Once the area is numb, they will use a laser or drill to remove the decay from the tooth. After prepping the area that will get the filling, they will proceed with putting a filling in the hole. The types of filling may consist of the following:
● Amalgam
● Ceramic
● Composite
● Glass Isomer
● Metals
If your cavity is not easily treated by filling it, a dentist may have to place a crown on top of your damaged tooth to prevent further tooth decay. However, before applying a crown, the dentist may need to perform a root canal to remove nerves, blood vessels, tissue, and other decayed portions of the tooth. One more option is to have the tooth extracted if it is severely damaged and replace it with a dental implant.
Do you need a dentist to treat your cavities or other dental issues? Call Sedki Dentistry in Commerce Twp today for a FREE consultation and start your dental treatment plan. We are a full-service dental clinic offering cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, children’s dentistry and more!