Dental cavities are a fairly common oral pathology. They affect a very large part of the population. Fortunately, they are now fairly easy to detect and treat. However, the symptoms of dental cavities can take time to appear.
In this article, the team at Clinique Dentaire 1935 will help you quickly recognize the symptoms of this common dental disease and inform you about the steps to take if you think you have a cavity. The quicker you react, the easier it will be to treat the cavity!
What are the main causes of dental cavities?
Dental cavities, which take the form of demineralization or a cavity on the tooth surface, are mainly caused by sugar and build-up of bacterial plaque. Cavities are relatively simple to prevent through healthy eating and good oral hygiene.
However, everyone’s teeth are different, and some are more fragile than others. We also know that the quality and quantity of saliva plays an important role. Unfortunately, cavities can develop even if you take all the necessary precautions.
What are the symptoms of dental cavities?
The symptoms of cavities largely depend on their development. An emerging cavity only affects the surface of the tooth enamel. At this stage, it is not painful and is most easily treated by remineralization. However, since there are no apparent symptoms, only your dentist can make an early diagnosis.
If the cavity is not remineralized, it will perforate the enamel and eventually reach a deeper layer of the tooth: the dentin. Symptoms such as hypersensitivity to hot, cold and sugar will begin to appear. After passing through the dentin, the cavity bacteria will contaminate the dental pulp. This leads to infection or tooth abscess, which can cause severe pain.
How do you treat dental cavities?
As with the symptoms, the treatments available for cavities depend on how advanced they are. In the early stages, it can be treated with varnishes, gels or enriched toothpastes. A healing or remineralization of the tooth is possible.
If the dental cavity has penetrated to the dentin, a dental restoration may be recommended. In cases of aggravated cavities, a root canal may be required, or even a total extraction of the tooth. For these reasons, regular dental check-ups are important to identify cavities as soon as they begin to develop.
Think you have a cavity? Contact Clinique Dentaire 1935
If you think you might have a cavity, wait no longer and make an appointment with us. We will be pleased to give you an examination and offer you with the appropriate care for your situation. Our dedicated team is always ready to welcome you with a smile!