Wondering if that little twinge in your tooth means something more? Cavities often start small, but they can lead to bigger problems if left untreated. In this blog, we’ll walk you through a few early signs to watch for—so you can take action before your next dental visit.
Signs of a Growing Cavity
The first sign of a decaying tooth is a subtle change in color. As the bacterial colony begins to break down the enamel, a white layer of minerals appears on the surface of the tooth. If left untreated, that may develop into a tiny hole which can be seen or felt. Later, the surface of the tooth around the cavity may turn brown. You may be able to visually see these areas of discoloration or even small holes.
However, the truth is that visually spotting your own cavities can be very difficult. That’s because many cavities occur on the top of teeth or between teeth, where they can be difficult to see in the mirror without special training. Your dental care team have the viewpoint, training, and experience to spot tooth decay both visually and with x-rays, so it’s important to get them involved.
What Are Cavities?
A cavity is a hole that develops in the surface of a tooth. Cavities are also referred to as tooth decay, which is a term that refers to the destruction of enamel. Enamel is the hard, visible layer of your teeth. You may hear your dental team refer to cavities as caries, which is simply another term for the same disease process.
Why Do Cavities Happen?
Cavities occur because an overgrowth of bacteria starts to eat away at the tooth. If your teeth have ever felt “fuzzy”, you’ve experienced a buildup of a substance known as plaque. Plaque is a mix of food substances and bacteria, which use that food as a convenient source of energy. If the bacteria in the plaque begins to tunnel into the tooth, it’s the start of the tooth decay process.
Risk Factors for Caries and Cavities
While scientists have identified certain genetic traits that make someone more likely to develop cavities, it’s important to know that behavior plays a tremendous role in cavity formation.
You’re More Likely to Get Cavities If…
- You snack between meals
- You consume lots of sweetened or acidic beverages like juice or soda
- You consume lots of sweetened or acidic foods like candy
- You take medication that causes dry mouth
- You smoke, vape, or use tobacco or nicotine in any form
You’re Less Likely to Get Cavities If…
- You drink fluoridated water
- You brush with fluoride toothpaste twice per day
- You floss at least once per day
- You avoid sugary food and beverages
- You avoid tobacco and nicotine
- You follow acidic meals or beverages with water
You’re More Likely to Catch a Cavity Early If…
- You schedule dental cleanings and x-rays at least once per year
- You schedule an appointment early if you experience sensitivity or pain
- You regularly visually inspect your teeth for the signs of cavities
What Are the Stages of a Cavity?
Stage 1: Demineralization
The first stage of cavity formation is the demineralization phase. In this phase, small, chalky spots appear on the tooth. It’s easy to mistake these white marks for bacteria colonies, but the truth is that bacteria are too small to see. Instead, what you’re seeing is the breakdown of minerals on the outer layer of your tooth’s enamel.
Stage 2: Enamel Decay
The second stage of tooth decay is the stage at which holes start to appear in the hard white enamel of your teeth. You may be able to see or feel these holes with your tongue or when brushing your teeth.
Stage 3: Dentin Decay
When the hole has expanded all the way through the enamel layer of the tooth, it reaches a layer called dentin. Dentin is much softer than enamel, which makes it easier for the bacteria that cause cavities to tunnel through. This can be a hard stage to identify without an x-ray, since the damage is occurring in the hidden layer underneath the surface, though sometimes the spot of the decay turns a darker brown.
Stage 4: Pulp Damage
The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth, and damage to it can be extremely painful or distressing. That’s because the pulp is the part of your tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. Remember that teeth, just like bones, are living tissue. The pulp is the part of the tooth that receives the nutrients and minerals from your bloodstream, resources that it uses to keep healthy and repair damage over time.
Stage 5: Abscessed Tooth
A deep cavity can cause a local infection that can be incredibly painful. An abscess is basically a pocket of pus that forms around an infection. The pus is a good thing; it’s your body’s immune response trying to attack and hopefully kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. You may notice swelling in your gum, swelling in your face, or even swollen lymph nodes in your neck on the same side as the affected tooth.
A tooth abscess can be extremely dangerous because the infection can spread to other tissues or even other parts of your body. In rare cases, the infection can spread to your bloodstream, causing a condition known as sepsis. Sepsis can be life-threatening and requires acute hospitalization to treat effectively.
Are You Need Of Dental Fillings In The Martinsburg Area?
If you are in need of dental fillings you owe it to yourself to speak with an experienced dentist as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
