Many people will experience tooth decay, where a cavity forms in one or more teeth. Without proper treatment, a cavity in a tooth can continue to worsen and may eventually develop into a dental abscess in Newcastle or will even cause tooth loss. Cavities are caused by a specific bacteria in dental plaque, a biofilm that continually forms over tooth surfaces.
These bacteria thrive on sugars found in sweet and starchy foods and convert the sugars into acids that, over time, can begin to damage tooth enamel. If you have good oral hygiene in Clarington, most plaque is removed through regular brushing and flossing, greatly reducing the risk of tooth decay.
There are several stages of tooth decay, and the first stage is demineralization, where the tooth’s outer surface, called tooth enamel, is demineralized by exposure to acids. The loss of minerals can eventually cause a white spot to develop on the tooth surface, and this is an initial sign of enamel erosion and is the first stage of tooth decay. If the process continues, the tooth enamel begins to break down further, and white spots can develop into a darker brownish colour as small holes or cavities form. Eventually, the cavity reaches the dentin underneath the enamel, which is softer and more easily damaged by acid. Once the decay reaches the dentin, tooth decay progresses more quickly. At this point, you may begin experiencing other symptoms like tooth sensitivity, especially when having anything very hot or cold to eat or drink.
The next stage is when tooth decay reaches the dental pulp in the innermost part of your tooth. The pulp contains nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, but when exposed to acids and bacteria, it becomes infected and inflamed and swells. The swelling puts pressure on the surrounding tissues, resulting in toothache in Courtice.
The final stage is a dental abscess, where the decay is well advanced, affecting the dental pulp and the tissues extending into the tooth roots in the root canals. It results in the development of a pocket of pus called an abscess. Dental abscesses can be extremely painful and cause other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, facial swelling, fever and jaw pain. A dental abscess needs prompt treatment. Otherwise, the infection can spread into your head and neck area, and there is a real chance that we may need to remove the tooth.
So, can tooth decay be reversed? The answer depends on its progression. Suppose there is only a sign of initial demineralization causing a white spot on a tooth. In that case, it may be possible to re-harden the tooth with topical applications of fluoride that can be applied to the tooth when you visit West Bowmanville Family Dental. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, so it becomes more resistant to acids and can be applied to teeth as a gel, varnish, or professional strength mouthwash. However, when a cavity has progressed, we will almost certainly need to repair the tooth with a dental filling.
We can repair small to medium-sized cavities in teeth with tooth-coloured composite resin. This strong, hard-wearing material blends in beautifully with the natural tooth creating a virtually invisible restoration. If the decay has reached the dental pulp, you will almost certainly need a root canal treatment to remove the pulp, clean out the cavity and restore the tooth with a dental crown. If you have an abscess, it might still be possible to save the tooth with root canal therapy, but if the infection is severe, we may have to remove the tooth.