Tooth Decay/Cavities Symptoms and Causes
Cavities are the permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth. Also known as caries or tooth decay. Multiple factors are contributing to cavities, like bacteria in the mouth, regular snacking, consumption of sweets or sugary drinks, and poor oral hygiene.
Cavities are of the most common dental disease worldwide. Almost every person suffers from tooth decay at least once in their lives, whether in milk or permanent teeth. Good oral hygiene is the best protection to prevent tooth decay.
They are very common in both adults and children. But anyone with teeth can get cavities, including infants. If left untreated, they develop into tiny openings or holes and affect deep layers of the teeth.
They can result in severe tooth pain, infection, and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and proper brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.
Symptoms of Cavities
The signs and symptoms of cavities vary on their extent and location in the teeth. When a decay is in the formation stage, there may be no symptoms at all. As it gets larger, it may show signs and symptoms such as:
Toothache:
A toothache is a pain that you feel in or around the tooth. Most often, the pain is a sign that there’s something opposite with your tooth or gums. Sometimes, toothache pain is related to referred pain. The pain caused by a problem somewhere in the body.
Tooth sensitivity:
Tooth sensitivity, or “dentin hypersensitivity,” is a pain or discomfort in the teeth in response to specific triggers, such hot or cold temperatures.
It can be temporary or a persistent problem, and it can affect one tooth, several, or all the teeth in a person. It can have several different causes, but the cure is a change in your oral hygiene regimen.
Causes of Tooth Decay
Dental Plaque
Plaque is a transparent sticky film that accumulates on your teeth after consuming a lot of sugar or starch. It contains bacteria and food debris. If an excellent oral hygiene regimen is not maintained, plaque will harden into tartar (calculus).
Plaque Attack
The acids in plaque eradicate minerals in the tooth’s hard, outer enamel. This erosion creates tiny openings or holes in the enamel and get worn out. The bacteria and acid reach the next layer of the teeth, called dentin. It is softer than the enamel and low resistant to acid. Dentin has small tubes that directly communicate with the nerve of the tooth, causing sensitivity.
As tooth decay develops, the acid and bacteria resume their march through your teeth, moving on to the inner tooth material, also known as pulp, that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp becomes swollen and irritated from the bacteria, which leads to discomfort resulting in a toothache.
Low Saliva flow(Dry mouth)
Dry mouth occurs by a lack of saliva. Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from the teeth. It counteracts the harmful effects of acids.
Prevention of Tooth Decay
- Regular brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- Less consumption of sugary and acidic drinks
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Floss your teeth regularly.
- Visit the dentist for regular check-ups
