Cavities are microscopic holes or openings in your teeth’s hard surfaces that are permanently destroyed. Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are caused by a variety of factors, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking, consuming sugary beverages, and not thoroughly brushing your teeth.

Cavities and dental decay are two of the most common health problems that people face around the world. Cavities can damage anyone, including infants, who have teeth. Especially children, teenagers, and the elderly are highly vulnerable.

Cavities that aren’t treated become more significant and affect your teeth’s deeper layers if they aren’t treated. They can result in a great deal of discomfort, infection, and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing regimens are your best defense against cavities and tooth decay.

Signs of tooth cavity:

Cavities can appear in various ways, depending on the size and location of the cavity. You may not notice any symptoms at all when a cavity is just being started. As the condition worsens, you may notice symptoms such as:

• Toothache, often known as “spontaneous pain,” is discomfort that occurs without warning.
• Sensitive teeth
• Dental pain can range from mild to severe, especially while eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold.
• Teeth with visible holes or pits
• The surface of a tooth tends to get stained brown, black, or white.
• When you bite down, it hurts.

Who has the chance of getting a cavity?

Cavities can affect persons of any age, but children are more likely to develop them. They could not wash their teeth correctly and eat and drink more sugary foods and beverages.

Cavities affect adults as well. New deterioration can emerge around the edges of cavities treated as a youngster. Adults are also more likely to get gum recession. In this circumstance, cavity-causing plaque is exposed to the bottom areas of the teeth.

Diagnosis of tooth cavity:

Your dental doctor diagnoses tooth decay by following steps:

• Inquiring about teeth sensitivity and pain
• Physical examination of the appearance of the tooth
• Using dental equipment to look for soft spots on your teeth
• X-rays of the teeth, can show the degree of cavities and deterioration

A smooth surface cavity, a pit and fissure cavity, or a root cavity can all be identified by your dentist.

Treatment for tooth cavity: 

You have a better chance of curing and preventing tooth decay if you seek tooth decay treatment as soon as possible. You won’t require much therapy if you treat a cavity before it becomes painful.

Cavity treatment is determined by the severity of the cavity and your specific circumstances. The available treatment options:

Tooth fillings: When decay has advanced beyond the first stages, fillings, also known as restorations, are the primary therapeutic option. Fillings can be made of several materials, including tooth-coloured composite resins, porcelain, or dental amalgam, a mixture of elements.

Crowns: If you have significant decay or weakening teeth, you may need a crown, which is a custom-fitted covering that replaces your tooth’s whole natural crown. Crowns can be made of gold, high-strength porcelain, resin, porcelain fused to metal, and other materials. Your dentist will perform tooth cavity removal and enough of the remaining tooth to ensure a correct fit.

Root canal: You may need a root canal treatment if decay has reached the interior material of your tooth (pulp). Rather than extracting a severely damaged or infected tooth, this method heals and saves it. The tooth’s infected pulp is removed. The pulp is then refilled with a filling. Medication is periodically inserted into the root canal to treat any infection.

Tooth Extraction: Some teeth get so badly decaying that they are unable to be repaired and must be removed. If you have a tooth extracted, it may leave a gap in your mouth, allowing your other teeth to shift. Consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the missing tooth if possible.

Fluoride treatment: If a cavity has only recently begun, a fluoride treatment may be able to help restore your tooth’s enamel and even reverse a cavity in its early stages. Fluoride treatments can be applied as a liquid, gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth, or they can be placed in a bit of tray that fits over your teeth. Professional fluoride treatments provide higher fluoride levels than tap water, toothpaste, and mouth rinses.

The majority of people that have cavities don’t have any long-term issues. Regular dental care are essential because cavities develop slowly. Treatments with fluoride can help prevent tooth decay in its early stages. You risk losing the tooth or having a painful abscess if dental decay progresses to the root (infection).