Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily.
It's a common misconception that once a cavity has developed, it will just disappear on its own. Even if the cavity is caught very early on, it still requires dedicated brushing, flossing, and exposure to fluoride for reversal.
If tooth decay has spread to the pulp (in the centre of the tooth, containing blood and nerves) – this may be removed in a process known as root canal treatment. If the tooth is so badly damaged that it can't be restored – it may need to be removed.
As mentioned, in terms of what happens if cavities are left untreated, an untreated cavity can lead to an infection, an abscess could form, your teeth will become extremely sensitive and painful, and you could even run the risk of losing your tooth entirely.
Although deep tooth decay often leads to extraction, it is not the only solution. Several options, such as dental crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays, can restore the tooth's structure, appearance, and integrity once the decay has been removed.
In early tooth decay, there are not usually any symptoms. As tooth decay advances, it can cause a toothache (tooth pain) or tooth sensitivity to sweets, hot, or cold. If the tooth becomes infected, an abscess, or pocket of pus, may form, causing pain, facial swelling, and fever.
In reality, it is never too late to fix bad teeth, though in some cases, the fix is the extraction of a dead tooth. However, with the help of your skilled Billings, MT dentist, your teeth can be properly taken care of, and you can start enjoying your smile again.
Extraction is usually necessary when the decay is too pervasive to stop and/or the gums are too infected to offer support and structure to your teeth. In these cases all the affected teeth will have to be extracted. If this happens to you, it is crucial that you don't just leave the empty spot alone.
Once bacteria have entered your tooth, it may be too late for a filling because we will need to prevent or treat an existing infection. However, it's never too late for dental care!
What Does a Cavity Look Like? While it is usually difficult to see a cavity in its beginning stages, some cavities start with a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel of your tooth. More serious cases can have a discolored brown or black color. However, most often there are no distinguishable red alerts.
Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing. It can even reverse, or stop, early tooth decay.
If a cavity goes untreated for two years or longer, severe damage to the tooth is likely. You will notice discoloration around the tooth, swelling around the gums, and severe pain and sensitivity. The bacteria will probably have damaged the tooth root and pulp at this point. You may lose the tooth.
Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Untreated cavities can lead to abscess (a severe infection) under the gums which can spread to other parts of the body and have serious, and in rare cases fatal, results.
If your cavity hurts, it's not too late for a dentist to save your tooth. When cavities are small, they tend not to hurt too much, but they'll start to cause pain as they grow. That's usually when you notice them.
The biggest factor a dentist looks at when deciding if a tooth can be saved is how much “good” tooth structure there is left. If the tooth is broken at the gumline and has a big cavity that goes down to the bone then there is little hope that the tooth can be saved.
Dentistry has advanced incredibly over recent years, which means that there is a treatment for every kind of oral health concern. Therefore, if you've bad teeth, there are effective restorative options available to repair them.
The fifth stage of tooth decay is the final and most painful stage. Once the infection reaches the root of your tooth, the conjoining bones in the area also risk infection. Your gums and tongue may also swell, affecting speech and leaving you at risk for other diseases.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is the cheapest way to fix teeth after an injury, cavities, or rotten teeth. In addition, this method of tooth replacement is long-lasting. This is because your replaced tooth is on a strong foundation.
It is usually recommended to increase the intake of mineral-rich meats and vegetables, bone broth and healthy fats. Diet rich in gelatin and magnesium may also help heal rotten teeth. Fish oil, olive oil and seafood are high in fat-soluble vitamins, so it is good to include these in your diet during tooth healing.
Soda, sugary food, and drinks are harmful to your teeth and sometimes more harmful than battery acid. Other causes of fast tooth decay can stem from other sources like acid reflux, stomach problems, or eating disorders such as bulimia.