Almost 90% of individuals between 20 and 64 years have had cavities. This is according to a past National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Otherwise called tooth decay, cavities are holes in your teeth that get bigger when left untreated. While anyone can develop cavities, you’re at a higher risk if you neglect your oral hygiene, suffer from dry mouth, or consume too much sugary or acidic food and drinks. Besides pain and sensitivity, cavities can cause chewing difficulties, infections, and tooth loss. So, when is it too late to reverse a cavity?
Progression of Cavities
Before determining when it is too late to reverse a cavity, let’s discuss the stages of tooth decay.
- Demineralization: This occurs when plaque releases acids into the enamel, causing it to form white spots.
- Enamel Breakdown: Repeated exposure to plaque acids weakens the enamel, creating small holes in the tooth surface.
- Dentin Decay: Failure to restore the enamel’s lost minerals causes bacteria to progress to the dentin. Because dentin is softer than the outer enamel, the rate of decay accelerates. And because the dentin contains tubes that extend to the nerves, you may experience sensitivity when consuming hot and cold food and drinks.
- Pulpitis: The pulp contains nerves that are responsible for tooth sensation. In the event of damage, the pulp begins to swell, putting pressure on the nerves and causing pain.
- Abscess: At this point, the infection has already spread to the root. Increased inflammation results in pus settling at the bottom of the tooth, causing pain in both the tooth and jaw. You may also experience a fever and swollen gums and neck lymph nodes.
When Is It Too Late to Reverse a Cavity?
You can remineralize your teeth in the early stages to prevent cavities from progressing. Your dentist may restore your enamel with professional fluoride treatments like foam and varnish, which have more fluoride than regular tap water, mouth rinses, and other kinds of toothpaste.
While it’s too late to reverse tooth decay beyond the enamel, you can still preserve your smile with the following treatments:
- Filling: It involves removing the decayed tissue and filling the opening with composites, amalgams, and other tooth repair materials.
- Crowns: These custom fittings act as caps for damaged teeth to preserve the tooth structure while lowering the risk of cracks. You can choose from a variety of crown materials, depending on factors like cost, strength, and tooth location. They include porcelain, metal, composite resin, ceramic, or a blend of materials.
- Root Canals: The dentist removes the infected pulp and cleans out the chamber before sealing it with temporary filling. This is followed by a dental crown weeks later to restore your bite.
Note that extraction might be the only option if your tooth is badly damaged. However, you can still fill the space with implants or dental bridges.
Preventing Cavities
Now that you know when it is too late to reverse a cavity, here are some measures you can implement to lower your risk of tooth decay.
- See a dentist for routine oral exams and cleanings
- Brush twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste
- Floss
- Drink a lot of water to clear food particles from your mouth
- Limit cookies, candies, soft drinks, and other sugary food and beverages
When Should You See a Dentist?
The signs of tooth decay aren’t always obvious. You need a dentist to examine your teeth before the cavity becomes more expensive and difficult to treat. Don’t wait until you experience toothache—contact LeCroy Dental for regular checkups to maintain your oral hygiene.