Cavities
You may have heard of bacteria being the cause for tooth decay, but did you know that it’s actually their by-products – or metabolic wastes – that lead to holes forming in our teeth? This process is called cavities and can occur when these areas become badly damaged over time. There are many things which increase risk of developing this type of damage; diet being one of the major factors. Other factors include poor hygiene practices (not brushing after eating), drinking excessive sugary drinks etc. As one of the most frequently seen health problems in the world, they can appear in anyone of any age who has teeth. Left untreated, these simple points of decay can get larger and dig deeper into your teeth.
FAQs
What are the Symptoms associated with Dental Cavities?
There are a range of symptoms associated with cavities since they appear anywhere in the mouth and to a varying degree. The most common ones are:
- Instant pain on your teeth or gums, occasionally radiating to surrounding area
- Sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Pain while eating something sugary or acidic
- Appearance of holes in your teeth
- White, brown or black staining of the teeth
- Pain resulting from common actions such as chewing,
If untreated, cavities can result in pain, formation of abscesses and potentially result in a tooth extraction. To avoid such situations, it is important to treat them in a timely fashion.
What Causes Cavities and Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is the primary cause of cavities. It starts with some tooth damage and progresses over time to form a cavity, which can then lead to other problems such as gum disease or bad breath if left untreated. There are multiple stages involved in developing a cavity that need careful monitoring by your dentist every visit!
- Formation of Plaque – Plaque is the annoying, transparent film that grows on your teeth. It’s made up primarily of sugars and starches but any food can cause it if you aren’t properly maintaining those pearly whites! The plaque left behind by these bad habits will harden into tartar—appearing both above or below where the gum line meets tooth surface (and sometimes in between).
- Plaque Acid starts Damaging Teeth – The enamel on your teeth is continuously being worn down by acid produced from plaque. This process creates tiny openings that eventually lead to severe damage known as cavities or holes in the dentin beneath it. This can irritate sensitive areas around our mouth because of its lack of durability compared with other parts including not just taste buds but also gums!
- Tooth Destruction – The bacteria will initially irritate the pulp, causing it to swell painfully. Eventually this can progress into cavities and even infections in other parts of your teeth. If left untreated for too long, they typically result in increased pain while brushing. This is due to the sensitive gums being irritated by food particles getting trapped within them. Eventually, this will lead to infection at some point down the road.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, call our office right away. Dental Cavities are one of the most frequent oral health concerns in the world. However, they are also treatable if they are caught in early stages. Call us today!!
