If left untreated, the cavity will expand until it opens up the pulp chamber or causes the tooth to break apart. Both scenarios are classified as dental emergencies.
Noticing a cavity for the first time isn't a dental emergency, but sometimes a cavity does warrant immediate attention from your dentist. If the pain is so severe that you can't wait for a regularly scheduled appointment, it may be a dental emergency.
The short answer to the title question is that, in the truest sense, a cavity is not a dental emergency. However, if you are experiencing dental pain in any form, you should consult our dentist for a triage consultation.
If there is intolerable pain, swelling, or bleeding, seek immediate care. If the damaged tooth causes intolerable pain, swelling, or bleeds uncontrollably, then it is important to visit the dentist for prompt care.
If a cavity does not cause an infection, it can still spread throughout your tooth and weaken it from the inside out. As your tooth rots and decays, it will fall apart and crack easily. This cavity can spread to your other teeth, making them brittle as well.
Here's what you need to remember: Small or moderately sized cavities are usually treatable with fillings. Those that are too deep or too large may require a more intensive treatment. 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.
Unfortunately, if treatment is delayed for too long, a small cavity can transform into a serious issue that will negatively affect your oral health. Our family dentists at MI Smiles Dental will all resoundingly tell you that it is not wise to wait extensive amounts of time to fill a cavity.
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.
In conclusion, the maximum period that an untreated tooth abscess can sustain is 12 months or more. But, such longevity is associated with dangerous complications such as sepsis or even death. Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!
Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it's going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth.
When cavities and decay become severe, you may have: Pain that interferes with daily living. Weight loss or nutrition problems from painful or difficult eating or chewing. Tooth loss, which may affect your appearance, as well as your confidence and self-esteem.
If you see pus near a tooth or teeth, your cavity has gone too far. It's become an abscess that needs to be handled right away. Abscesses are very painful and cause fevers and swollen glands. Pus will routinely collect and drain from the abscess, causing great pain.
Because the dentine is softer, it will also be more prone to dental decay causing a black tooth. You should see a dentist about this; however, it would not be considered an emergency appointment unless it is accompanied by pain.
Is My Grey Tooth an Emergency? If discoloration is your only symptom, your grey tooth is likely not an emergency. However, if you have swelling in the gums around the grey tooth, pus drainage, or pain when you chew, you may have an urgent problem.
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.
Every Cavity Is Different. The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. 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 can take as long as five years from the time a cavity begins to develop to when the tooth needs treatment to prevent the cavity from spreading further.
It can lead to infections that can spread to the other parts of the body, it can increase your risk of heart disease and it can weaken your immune system. Good oral hygiene and biannual trips to the dentist are essential when it comes to keeping tooth decay away.
Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it's swallowed along with saliva.
Answer: Of course. The moment a cavity forms, it is essential that you receive a filling as soon as possible. The decay won't remain frozen in time. It will grow and will continue to destroy your dental tissue until your treatment.
However, cavities require immediate attention when they arise. Tooth decay should not be allowed to go untreated for long periods of time. Minor cavities can grow into serious problems that result in permanent tooth damage in less than 3 months.