The teeth are one of the most important parts of one’s body that needs to be taken care of properly. Several dental problems might occur if you fail to look after them and incorporate habits that will make them as healthy as possible. These problems include the development of cavities, also referred to as tooth decay, which are the holes that are formed in teeth. Cavities initially start small, then gradually become bigger, especially when they are left untreated. You might not notice them at first as they do not cause pain in the beginning. This makes it hard to recognize that a problem such as this exists. Which is why it is important to know the ways on how to prevent dental problems, the symptoms and the causes, and go through a treatment for tooth cavities in case there is one that might possibly form in the future.
Cavities, or tooth decay, causes the destruction of enamel. The enamel is the hard outer surface of a tooth. Thus, when a tooth decay develops, it can get larger, and even attack deeper layers of the tooth that may lead to more serious issues. This can permanently damage areas of one’s teeth that may worsen if left untreated. This makes understanding the causes, symptoms, and even learning what treatment for tooth cavities could be effective important to keep in mind all the time.
People of all ages can develop cavities, including babies. It is also more common to occur in children, as they are more prone to consuming more sugary foods and drinks, and cannot even properly brush their teeth. Adults also get cavities, and are more likely to have receding gums. Which is why it is essential to always check the teeth for possible risks, and perform healthy oral care habits to prevent them from worsening. Untreated cavities may lead to toothaches, infection, and tooth extractions.
Symptoms
There are certain symptoms that let you know that tooth decay or cavities are about to develop. But all these symptoms still depend on the severity and extent of the decay, and may vary depending on their location. Tooth decay on the outer enamel surface does not actually cause pain or any symptoms. Additionally, when a cavity is just beginning to form, you may also not feel any symptoms at all. You can just most likely feel them as the decay progresses into the dentin and root.
Signs that you have cavities include tooth sensitivity particularly to hot or cold foods or drinks, tooth pain, a visible hole in your teeth, and black or white stains on your teeth. You may also experience bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, bleeding gums or other signs of gum disease, facial swelling, and redness around or inside the mouth.
Causes
Several factors play an active role in the development of cavities. The bacteria in the mouth usually forms after eating or drinking sugary and starchy foods. Thus, it has the ability to turn them into acid, which may lead to the development of plaque. The plaque then forms and sticks to the teeth. Particularly when the sugars and starches are not properly cleaned off the teeth. Then, when the plaque has stayed on your teeth, it can harden under or above your gum line. It leads to the development of tartar. Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove, and can even create a shield for bacteria.
After this, the acid slowly destroys the tooth enamel by causing tiny openings or holes within them. As mentioned above, enamel is a hard, protective coating on your teeth that protects them from tooth decay. Thus, once areas of enamel are worn away, the bacteria and acid can be able to reach the next layer of your teeth. This just means that when your tooth enamel weakens, the risk for tooth decay increases.
Everyone, regardless of any age, is at risk for cavities. Especially those who consume a lot of sugary, starchy, or acidic foods and drinks, perform a poor oral hygiene routine by failing to brush or floss daily, and do not get enough fluoride, are at high risk of having cavities formed. When they are going through eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and acid reflux, high possibilities of the development of cavities and tooth decay can occur as these conditions result in stomach acid. Then, this stomach acid has the ability to wear down the tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.
Studies have shown that cavities develop more often at the back part of the teeth. This part has grooves and openings that can trap food particles which may be hard for one to reach when brushing and flossing.
Treatment
Of course, when you feel unbearable tooth pain, the first thing you must do is to visit your dentist. They can identify what causes the pain you are experiencing. Then, they may recommend a dental treatment that can prevent the certain problem from worsening. They may conclude that tooth cavities are the reason for intolerable toothaches. However, the options for the treatment for tooth cavities still depend on severity. These options include having your dentist perform tooth fillings, dental crowns, root canal, tooth extraction, and fluoride treatment. All of these have the opportunity to treat any dental issues and problems you have.
Dentists may also suggest performing certain oral habits that will let you reduce the risk of developing other issues and conditions. This includes regular brushing and flossing of the teeth. They may also suggest limiting the consumption of sugary, starchy, and acidic foods and beverages. This is to reduce the risk of certain dental issues. This will ensure that you will not be dealing with pain within your teeth anymore.
Key Takeaway
It is important to know and understand the symptoms, the underlying causes, and the treatment for tooth cavities. This will let you be aware of what to do and what to avoid so you can maintain healthy teeth and protect your oral health. You might want to go through regular dental checkups and perform good oral hygiene, to prevent cavities.