Cavities: symptoms, treatments and prevention

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, is one of the most prevalent oral diseases in the world.

If you've never seen one, you might wonder what a cavity looks like and what tooth decay treatment might look like if you're faced with a blackening or decaying tooth. We’re here to break down the symptoms so you know what to look for.

Symptoms of tooth decay

Tooth decay symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the cavities and where they are located. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have tooth decay. If identified in the early stages, it is reversible.

For that reason, we always recommend booking an appointment with your dentist to confirm if this is the case:

Cavity symptoms include pain or sensitivity when you expose the affected tooth to cold, heat or sweet foods. This is normally the first sign that you may have a cavity.

Spots on the teeth that can be white (in the initial phase, also called white or mild cavities) or black (more advanced).

Sometimes they can be seen with the eye (a hole can be noticed in the tooth), but sometimes cavities appear between the teeth, so they cannot be detected so easily.

Severe tooth cavity symptoms may include pain, throbbing and stinging. If left untreated, tooth removal may be necessary.

Tooth decay treatments: How to get rid of cavities

Tooth decay treatment will depend on the state of the cavities themselves. White cavities (milder cavities) can simply be treated with fluoride. In the case of more advanced cavities, the treatments can be varied. These are the most common.

Visit your dentist regularly

It is recommended that you visit the dentist at least once a year. During this visit, you should request an oral exam and hygiene appointment. However, depending on the condition of your teeth, your dentist may suggest more frequent follow-ups.

Tooth cavity filling

To begin with, it is important to explain what a dental filling is. Filling consists of filling a tooth that has been damaged by a cavity to restore its shape and function.

If the dentist detects that the caries needs to be treated with a tooth filling, they will notify the patient and let them know that this procedure will require the use of infiltrative anaesthesia in the area to be treated. During this process, the following steps are carried out:

1. The professional uses an instrument that can be rotary or manual to remove the damaged tissue. 
2. Once removed, the remaining surface is decontaminated. 
3. An adhesive technique is used to glue the filling material. The seal is inserted. This returns the lost dental anatomy. 
4. The filling contains composite resins (composites) that have a chemical bond with the tooth and present a ceramic load to be able to return the part to its mechanical functions. 
5. The composites are of different colours, and the professional selects the appropriate colour for the patient's dentition so that it is as noticeable as little as possible.

Crowns

When the tooth cavity treatment requires a more serious approach and a filling cannot be used, the dentist must replace the natural crown of the tooth with a kind of cover after removing all the decayed part.

Canal treatment

When the nerve is affected and the pulp cannot be recovered, the canal is treated. This is called root canal treatment, or tooth extraction. Edentulism is the medical term for tooth loss, and this treatment for cavities is the last resort.

Caries and orthodontics

While some people might think that braces can cause tooth decay, orthodontic devices are not linked to the development of cavities. Cavities tend to develop mostly in the back teeth (in the molars), and these teeth are the most difficult to reach with a toothbrush and floss.

Can braces cause tooth decay?

Having fixed orthodontics in place can make maintaining your oral hygiene more difficult, which is one of the reasons removable orthodontics are a great solution.

With the use of removable orthodontics, such as invisible aligners, this difficulty disappears. The aligners can be removed, allowing you to maintain an adequate brushing regime.

Consequences of untreated dental caries

• Dental cavities trap more plaque and can cause more cavities to appear. 
• One of the most frequent consequences of tooth decay is a greater sensitivity to heat, cold and sugary or acidic foods. 
• Tooth decay and cavities can also cause bad breath. 
• If the caries reaches the nerve, it may be necessary to perform a root canal treatment, also called endodontics. 
• With advanced dental caries, the infection affects all, not just part of the tooth. As a result, it may suffer necrosis and the patient may lose it. Radiating pain in the jaw and ear is also a consequence of caries.

How to avoid cavities

Avoid artificial sugars

Excessive consumption of sugar is one of the biggest contributors to the deterioration of teeth and decay, along with poor hygiene. Artificial sugars and sweeteners don’t hold any nutritional value and as soon as we ear them, our blood sugar spikes which can contribute to other health risks outside of dental problems. There are links to obesity, type 2 diabetes and high trylycerides.

Embrace natural sugars

Naturally occurring sugars in foods like fruits, veggies and dairy products aren’t bad for you. Alongside natural sugars they’re packed full of fibre vitamins, minerals and antioxidants!

The fibre you often find in natural food types help the sugar to breakdown at a more steady rate, so your blood and mood don’t spike with rapid glucose arrival in your blood stream.

See your dentist

Regular dental checks, fluoride treatment, annual cleaning and accessing dental treatment in a timely manner will help you avoid long-term damage to your teeth.

Stop acid wearing down teeth

Too many sugary treats during the day gives little time for the saliva to neutralise the sugars. This means the bacteria in the plaque will convert these sugars into acid, causing what is known as tooth decay. If you are indulging in something sweet, minimise your eating windows and brush your teeth 30 minutes afterwards to prevent acid buildup lingering on your teeth.

Fix malocclusions with Impress clear aligners

If you want to straighten your teeth without traditional braces, take the first step and schedule a visit with Impress. We offer the best removable aligner solutions and deal with minimal malocclusions all the way to complex cases of straightening.

Try our quiz, find a clinic near you, or book your free appointment.