Cavities are hole-like damages on a tooth surface. They can appear on any part of a natural tooth, including the top surface and the side. Although there are various causes of cavities, dental decay is the leading cause. It occurs when the teeth develop a buildup of plaque from stuck food particles, releasing harmful acids that destroy the enamel or the strongest part of a tooth. Treatments for cavities are available based on the stage at which the cavity is located. Dentists can reverse a developing cavity and restore the affected tooth’s natural look and shape.

Understanding cavities, their causes, and treatments is crucial in making informed decisions. A skilled dentist can also diagnose and recommend the proper treatment for your cavity before so much of your natural tooth is affected.

Types of Cavities

Brushing and flossing regularly is one way to take good care of your teeth. Healthy and strong teeth appear and function better. However, neglected teeth can develop cavities or holes from dental decay. Brushing and flossing remove stuck food particles from the mouth. Some food and beverages remain in the mouth when you eat and drink. If they linger in the mouth for some time, they can combine with harmful oral bacteria, producing a strong and harmful acid. This acid creates a buildup on the teeth and gums. It is also strong enough to erode a natural tooth.

The enamel is one of the strongest elements in the human body. It remains strong and healthy for a long time and can withstand any pressure from chewing and biting. However, it is easily damaged by plaque or buildup formed by the acid produced when harmful bacteria combine with stuck food particles. The damage starts slowly and progresses quickly, affecting much of the tooth and adjacent teeth. Some foods that contribute much to the production of this acid are starchy and sugary.

Cavities can affect any tooth and anyone. Children and teens are more affected by their inability to brush and adequately care for their teeth. However, people who consume sugary and starchy foods are also prone to tooth decay. Adults who neglect regular brushing and flossing, as well as regular visits to the dentist, can also develop a cavity. If left untreated, a cavity can spread to adjacent teeth and the tooth’s underlying structures, resulting in tooth loss.

Remember that cavities can develop on any part of a natural tooth. Some people develop a smooth-surface cavity that starts and grows slowly, dissolving the enamel as it spreads. This type of cavity is preventable and reversible with good oral hygiene. A smooth-surface cavity is also common in teens and young adults in their early 20s. The cavity develops between their natural teeth.

A pit and fissure cavity is a type that develops on the upper part or chewing part of a tooth. It is mainly seen in the back teeth and can damage the front or back part of the tooth. It is a typical cavity among teens and grows quickly.

Root decay is common in adults, mainly those with receding gums. Gum recession occurs mostly with gum disease and exposes much of the tooth, including the tooth’s roots. This type of cavity is hard to prevent, diagnose, and treat, but regular visits to the dentist can prevent its occurrence.

Cavities are prevalent. A good percentage of people have had a cavity at a given time in their life. They are like chronic illnesses, impacting people of different ages. However, they are preventable and treatable. You or someone you love can develop a cavity at any stage of your life, whether as a child, teen, or adult. Children are more affected because they have yet to master the art of brushing and flossing. Additionally, children enjoy starchy and sugary foods and drink more than adults.

Adults also develop cavities for various reasons. Some cavities develop alongside treated cavities that occur in childhood. When brushing their teeth, some adults neglect the nooks and crannies on their teeth and mouths, where stuck food particles and harmful bacteria can thrive. Other adults have receding gums, which puts them at risk of developing root cavities.

The Causes and Signs of Cavities

Harmful oral bacteria mainly cause cavities. When you consume sugary or starchy foods and some of them remain in the mouth, the harmful bacteria convert the carbohydrates in these foods into acids. The acid, harmful bacteria, saliva, and stuck food particles in the mouth combine to create a sticky substance (plaque) that builds on your gums and teeth. Once plaque coats a part of your tooth, it continuously weakens the enamel, causing the development of a cavity. Brushing and flossing are recommended to minimize your chances of developing a cavity. Regular brushing interferes with this process, keeping your teeth free of cavities.

Failure to practice good oral hygiene habits causes the acid to erode the enamel, creating holes or cavities on the tooth’s surface. One or more of your teeth can be affected simultaneously, depending on how regularly you consume sugary and starchy foods.

Some people are more prone to cavities than others. Here are some of the factors that could increase your risk:

  • Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is caused by some health conditions and popular medications like antidepressants. Saliva is vital in your mouth, protecting the enamel from harmful elements like acid from sugars and starches. If your body produces less saliva, it often leaves your mouth dry, reducing that protection and increasing your risk of cavities.
  • Consumption of starchy or sugary foods and drinks and regular snacking
  • If your family has a long history of decay
  • If you have undergone radiation therapy for the treatment of neck or head cancer

Cavities are generally not contagious. However, cavity-causing bacteria can transmit from one person to another through activities like kissing. Once the bacteria are in your mouth, your risk of developing a cavity increases.

Once a cavity starts developing, you or someone else can see it. This is because the main sign of a cavity is physical, where you see a dark spot or a developing hole on your tooth’s surface. However, there are other indications of a cavity you should know. Identifying these can help you seek immediate treatment for an invisible or hidden cavity:

  • You could develop a bad odor or a foul taste in the mouth that does not go away after regular brushing and flossing.
  • Your gums start bleeding or showing other indications of periodontal disease.
  • You experience pain or swelling on one side of the face.
  • Pain in the mouth or toothache
  • You experience sensitivity when taking cold or hot beverages or foods.

Remember that cavities start slowly and develop into large holes that eventually affect a natural tooth's structure, function, and strength. They develop in five stages, through which a dentist can diagnose and recommend treatment.

The demineralization stage is the first stage when you notice a minor, chalky white spot on a tooth. It happens once the minerals on your tooth’s enamel begin to break down after an attack by the harmful acids. The second stage is enamel decay, which occurs if the demineralized tooth is left untreated. The decay starts small and grows as the cavity progresses due to increased attack by the harmful bacteria and the resulting acids. A minor hole or cavity is noticeable in this second stage, as the milky white spot on the tooth turns brownish.

The dentin decay continues if you do not seek early treatment for the cavity. The dentin is the second layer of your tooth, after the enamel. Its decay starts once the harmful bacteria have penetrated the enamel and accessed the tooth’s inner structures. Sadly, the dentin is not as strong as the enamel. Thus, the penetration by the bacteria and plaque becomes easier. During this phase, you could experience sensitivity as the dark spot on your tooth widens and becomes darker.

The next stage is usually the pulp damage stage, when the buildup and the bacteria penetrate the tooth’s underlying structures. This causes the tooth’s pulps to become inflamed and, eventually, infected. The pain becomes painful, could swell, and sometimes you can develop an abscess on the gum. The remaining part of the tooth also darkens, and the surrounding gum is reddish. Once the pulp becomes infected, the tooth becomes abscessed. Dental abscesses are usually sure signs of an infection. This requires immediate treatment because you could lose your tooth, and the infection can spread to other teeth and your body.

Treatment and Care for Cavities

In most cases, the signs of a cavity are physical. However, you could miss a cavity, mainly if it develops on the back of a tooth. However, dentists can detect, diagnose, and treat cavities at onset during regular dental checkups. You should visit your dentists at least twice yearly for regular checkups and professional cleaning. You can prevent cavities and other severe oral and dental issues this way.

A skilled dentist can diagnose a cavity at any stage of development during a physical dental checkup. When you visit a dentist’s office for treatment or a regular checkup, they thoroughly examine your teeth and gums for early diagnosis and treatment of oral conditions that could escalate into severe disorders. Dentists use different instruments and tools to probe your teeth during these examinations. An affected tooth feels softer than the rest. Sometimes, the dentist can recommend an X-ray examination to view the underlying structures of an affected tooth.

The dentist will recommend treatment based on how developed the cavity is. Various treatments for cavities are available, and they include the following:

  • Dental fillings
  • Fluorine treatments
  • Riot canal therapies
  • Tooth extractions

Fluoride treatments repair damaged tooth enamel through a remineralization process. Thus, they can be used at any stage of a developing cavity. Dentists also use fluoride treatments to reverse early indications of a cavity. Your dentist can recommend a particular mouthwash or toothpaste or provide a fluoride treatment in their office.

Dental fillings are recommended for more advanced cavities. They restore the tooth’s structure and function. The dentist fills the cavity with a dental filling made from composite resin, gold, or silver amalgam during treatment. The filing also prevents further damage to the tooth. A dental filling can last for years. Your dentist will check on it regularly to ensure that your tooth is well-covered and protected from more damage.

Root canal therapy is necessary once the cavity penetrates the tooth’s underlying structures. Immediate treatment is required when a tooth’s pulp becomes infected. Root canal therapy involves the removal of the infected pulp to stop the infection and save an affected tooth. Once the dentist removes the tooth’s pulp, they will fill the chamber and canals with unique dental filling material to restore the tooth's structure. The tooth could require additional treatment, like the installation of a crown, to restore its strength and functionality.

Extraction is usually the dentist’s last recommendation for severely damaged teeth. Extraction entails the complete removal of the affected tooth. When a cavity is diagnosed later, saving the affected tooth could be difficult or impossible. However, it leaves a gap between your teeth that could affect your bite and teeth alignment. After extraction, your dentist can recommend dental restorations like a dental implant or dental bridge to replace the lost permanent tooth. This will solve the bite and alignment issues and restore your smile and confidence.

Find Competent Dental Care Services Near Me

Cavities are dangerous damage to teeth that can result in oral infections and tooth loss. Thus, they must be treated with the seriousness they deserve. Sadly, most people seek treatment for cavities when they have developed into large holds and penetrated the underlying teeth’s structures.

Dentists recommend maintaining proper oral hygiene habits to keep teeth and gums clean and free of cavities. They also recommend regular visits to the dentist’s office for dental checkups, preventing cavities, and treating cavities in their early stages.

Our competent dentists at Northridge Advanced Dentistry have all the information you need to understand cavities, how they develop, and how to prevent or care for them. We also offer quality diagnosis and treatment of cavities at all stages. Call us at 818-701-3010 for more information and quality dental care.