Stages of Cavities
Each time you visit the dentist, you may be anxious to find out if you have any cavities. However, these yearly cleanings are crucial to catch and treat any cavities before they get to a health-threatening stage. There are also things you can do to mitigate them before they become too developed. No two cavities are the same and it is important to understand each of the stages to help prevent tooth decay. This blog will outline all five stages of a cavity and what Sandcreek Dental can do to keep it from getting to a complicated point.
Demineralization
The earliest stage of cavity forming is called demineralization. This occurs when the acid, sugars, and other bacteria in the mouth sit on the teeth and eat away at the enamel. This reduces the minerals in the teeth and can cause white spots to appear.
This stage can be overlooked quite often because there are no other symptoms besides the white spots, which are not very visible to the naked eye. It is best to try and catch a cavity in this stage because it could be fixed simply with brushing, flossing, and fluoride treatment. Catching it early can save money from filling treatment and excess tooth pain.
Enamel Decay
In the second stage of a cavity, the enamel is broken down to the point of making a small hole in the tooth’s surface. The white spots may start to turn more brown as the hole is made. Since the hole is on the hard enamel, there is really no pain or sensitivity yet. This is the stage that is usually caught by a dentist through an X-ray.
When a cavity gets to this point, it cannot be undone like in the first stage. However, it can be repaired with a filling. As long as good oral hygiene is maintained and the filling is taken care of, there shouldn’t be any further damage.
Dentin Decay
The softer layer underneath the enamel is called dentin. When a cavity is not treated properly in stage 2, it will continue to decay into the dentin. When it gets to this point, the tooth will start decaying faster than when it was only affecting the enamel. The dentin is closer to the nerves under the teeth, making this more severe type of cavity a little more painful. The area tends to be more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and temperatures.
In this stage, more advanced treatments may be introduced. A dentist may use a stronger type of filling or place a crown over it to protect it from further plaque buildup.
Pulp Exposure
The inner pulp is the deepest part of the tooth that we hope decay never reaches. When the dentin decays all the way, it exposes this pulp, where many nerves are located. Patients who experience this can have symptoms of swelling and irritation, along with previous sensitivity.
When a cavity reaches this stage, a root canal is usually performed to take care of the severe decay that the tooth is undergoing.
Abscess
The final and worst stage of a cavity is when the decay goes past the pulp, spreading bacteria as it reaches the nerves and blood vessels along the underlying bone. This inflammation causes an abscess, or pus that comes out towards the bottom of the root of the tooth.
This needs to be treated immediately. The tooth will need to be extracted to prevent further inflammation and relieve the pain surrounding it.
Schedule an Appointment with Sandcreek Dental
If you are concerned about having a cavity, do not hesitate to reach out to us. We can take a look at your tooth and give you the treatment you need to prevent further health complications. In the meantime, brush, floss, and keep up a good oral hygiene routine every day.
