Understanding the dental problem of tooth cavity
A cavity is a hole in the tooth which results from setting in of decay in the tooth. Initially a cavity is small in size but if left untreated then as time passes by it keeps growing larger. The enamel is the hardest and the outermost protective coating of the tooth. Acid in the mouth wears down this enamel coating to let the formation of cavity. Every person walking under the sun is likely to develop a cavity in the tooth. Cavity prevention measures include maintaining proper oral hygiene and routine dental cleanings. Cavities are also called dental caries and are a common disease of the tooth.
Different types of tooth cavities
A cavity can start forming on any surface of the tooth. In the following section of the post let us explore a few types of cavities that occur commonly.
- Smooth surface – This type of cavities grows slowly and gradually dissolves the enamel of your tooth. It is possible to prevent the formation of this type of cavities. Moreover you can reverse it too by maintaining sound oral hygiene. This type of cavity usually affects youngsters who are in their 20s.
- Pit and fissure decay – This type of cavities appears on the top part of the chewing surface of your tooth. In this type of decay usually the front side of the teeth at the back of your mouth also gets affected. Pit and fissure decay affects most teenagers and the condition progresses very fast.
- Decay of the tooth root – This condition indicates severe decay of the tooth and it mostly affects adults who suffer from receding gums. As a result of gum recession the roots of the tooth get exposed to dental plaques and acid. Decaying of the tooth root is a condition which is difficult to prevent as well as treat. If you suffer from periodontal infection or gum recession you should not take the matter lightly. It is crucial to stay in constant touch with your dentist or periodontist.
Is the problem of tooth cavities common in the United Kingdom?
A survey carried out a few years ago shows nearly 3 out of every 10 adults in England suffer from the problem of decayed tooth or teeth. The study also reveals on an average every person suffers from nearly 2.1 decayed teeth which is actually quite an alarming situation. In easier words you can say dental caries or cavities are one of the commonest chronic diseases in the country which affects people of every age group.
People more prone to develop cavities
Decay in the tooth may set in at any age and so, nobody is in the safe zone as such. However, children are found most prone to this problem. The reasons why children suffer from it the most include the following –
- Children enjoy sugary foods and drinks more
- They do not understand the importance of proper brushing in maintaining sound oral health
A large number of adults also get cavities in the teeth. In many cases it is seen that new cavities start developing around the edges of the cavities that were treated in childhood. Another concerning dental problem in adults is receding gums. When one develops this condition the roots of the teeth become exposed to plaques. In this condition setting in of a cavity is even easier.
Interesting Read: How to Get the Tooth Cavity Treatment at an Affordable Price?
Signs and symptoms of tooth cavities
Usually in the initial stages when the disease affects only the outer surface of the enamel coating of your tooth there is no pain or symptom. As the disease progresses with time and goes beyond the enamel and affects the dentin and the pulp you are likely to experience the symptoms, explains a dentist who charges reasonable cost for tooth decay treatment. The symptoms include the following –
- Toothache in the oral cavity
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Swelling in the face
- Continuous bad taste in the mouth
- Bad breath
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above bleeding gums and other gum disease symptoms may indicate the presence of decay in the tooth.
Different stages of tooth decay
A cavity is likely to affect each and every layer of a tooth when it is left ignored and untreated.
Tooth decay has five major stages which are as following –
- Demineralisation – this is the first stage of the disease which may or may not show tiny, white, chalky spots on the tooth. These spots are usually not easy to identify. The spots result from breaking down of the minerals that build up the protective enamel coating.
- Decay of the enamel coating – when you leave those tiny white spots untreated the disease progresses without any hindrance and keeps breaking down the enamel wall. At this stage tiny hole or cavity may show up. Those white chalky spots may also turn light brownish.
- Decay of the dentin – the dentin layer resides just beneath the outermost enamel coating of the tooth. This layer is much softer and more compromising than the enamel. When the disease spreads to this stage the rest of the damage works out faster explains a dentist with years of experience in dental cavity treatment. Sensitivity in the tooth is mostly felt at this stage of the infection. Even those spots on the tooth may take a dark brown colour.
- Damage of the pulp – the pulp of a tooth is its innermost chamber. It contains nerves and blood vessels that carry nutrients to keep the tooth alive. When the disease progresses to the pulp you start experiencing pain. To further complicate the matter there could also be redness and swelling in the gums surrounding the tooth.
- Development of tooth abscess – when a cavity in the tooth is left untreated it may become deep and results in a nasty infection. The infection leads to formation of tiny pockets of puss at the root of the diseased tooth. Dentists call it periapical abscess. The symptoms of this acute condition include –
- Severe pain that radiates to the jaw and even the face
- Facial swelling
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck
In extreme cases the condition may reach the brain or cause sepsis in the bloodstream.
In the last stages when a root canal treatment is not possible dentists recommend extraction or removal of the decayed tooth. Then you require a dental implant or a bridge at Thousand Smiles, London to fill up that gap in your mouth.
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