We often use the terms cavity and tooth decay interchangeably. While they don’t mean exactly the same thing, there’s plenty of overlap. Here’s another thing your family dentist can confirm: when it comes to tooth decay and cavities, the earlier you catch them, the better. But that doesn’t always mean a filling right away. A cavity is one of the first and most common signs of tooth decay, but decay starts before we see cavities. If left untreated, it can lead to worse outcomes than a cavity. Early detection is one of the primary reasons seeing your family dentist regularly is so important. With today’s technology, we can detect signs of tooth decay early and sometimes reverse decay without a filling before cavities grow.
A sticky plaque forms when food particles and saliva mix and stay on your teeth. Dental plaque contains bacteria that turn sugars into acids, which can damage your teeth. Small holes in your enamel (called cavities) form as those acids eat away at your teeth. But if you don’t take action, cavities are just the beginning. If tooth decay reaches the dentin layer of soft tissue underneath your enamel, you might experience pain or sensitivity. If you don’t treat tooth decay, it can cause an infection in the soft tissue of your tooth. If an infection goes unchecked, it can cause an abscess in your tooth’s innermost layer, the pulp. This can cause a severe infection that can spread to your jawbone or other areas.
The best way to catch tooth decay early is by keeping up with your regular checkups. Your dentist can detect early warning signs before you have pain or visible symptoms. Other signs include:
Your dentist might spot tooth decay and tell you, “We’ll watch this area.” As a patient, you might wonder why your dentist doesn’t opt for a filling immediately. Decay starts with demineralizing your enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, before cavities form. If you catch that initial decay early, there’s a chance you can avoid a filling with a professional fluoride treatment and/or extra fluoride treatments or mouth rinse at home. With the right support, your teeth can repair themselves if tooth decay is mild and superficial, allowing you to avoid fillings. If you’re in a “watch and wait” situation, you can help by drinking plenty of water, avoiding sugary snacks and drinks and paying extra attention to oral hygiene. However, if the cavity continues to grow, you’ll need to get it filled at a future visit.
If your dentist sees early signs of decay and recommends watching and waiting, she’ll follow up with an X-ray at your next checkup. If the initial signs of tooth decay turn into bigger cavities, you’ll need to get them filled. If you experience pain or sensitivity, don’t wait. Make an appointment with your dentist before your next scheduled checkup.
Regarding oral care, the importance of prevention can’t be overstated. Two of the best steps are keeping up with oral hygiene and seeing your family dentist twice a year. Those two things alone go a long way toward preventing cavities and tooth decay. On the oral care side of the equation, you should:
If your dentist catches tooth decay early, she may recommend a “watch and wait” approach. Sealants, in-office fluoride treatments, unique fluoride treatments, or rinses can help prevent a full-blown cavity. If the tooth decay progresses, you’ll likely need a filling. We can usually fill a cavity in a single office visit. If you don’t treat tooth decay, it can lead to a severe infection or tooth loss. Treating cavities promptly can help us avoid more expensive and invasive interventions like crowns and root canals. At Greenhill Family Dental Care, we aim to stop tooth decay with top-notch preventive care. But we also know cavities happen, and our patients are in good hands when they do.
