Dental decay or dental cavity is basically a hole in the tooth. Dental decay often goes unnoticed until the tooth starts to feel sensitive to hot, cold or sweet, and sometimes gives a strong throbbing toothache which means the decay has reached and damaged the nerve.
Tooth decay is usually caused by bacterial plaque buildup on teeth over time. Foods high in carbohydrates, such as sugary foods and drinks, feed the bacteria in our mouth to produce more acid. This acid is what breaks down the surface of our teeth, causing holes in teeth that are known as cavities. Once our teeth are damaged, the plaque and bacteria can reach the soft dentine and eventually reach the nerve, causing serious toothache. In short, a mixture of a poor diet and poor dental hygiene causes tooth decay.
One of the best ways to deal with tooth decay is to prevent it in the first place. Decay prevention involves healthy oral hygiene habits such as regular brushing and flossing, as well as a healthy diet that is low in sugar.
Unfortunately when decay has developed into dentine, a minor filling or more major inlay/online filling may be required. In some cases, it may be necessary to use a crown to cover and protect the tooth. Root canal treatments can also help to eliminate toothache caused by decay that has gone into the nerve.
When left untreated, dental decay often leads to eventual pain and infection of the dental nerve. In some patients this means a root canal treatment or even a dental extraction. It will not get better by itself so the longer you leave it untreated the more painful, expensive and/or less options you’ll have to save your teeth. So don’t hesitate to get it checked out during your next hygiene treatment.
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