When it comes to looking and feeling your best, what’s the one thing you can do? Brush your teeth! Not only does brushing help keep your breath minty fresh, but it also helps prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that feed on sugar in the mouth, forming an acid that breaks down the enamel of our teeth. If left untreated, it can lead to cavities and other forms of dental disease.
Let’s talk about the difference between a cavity and a filling and what tooth decay really is:
Cavities and tooth decay are the same thing. And they can also be known as dental caries. So a cavity, tooth decay, dental caries: all the same thing and may be used interchangeably at your dentist office. And what they really are are bacterial infections where the hard tooth surface starts to erode, creating holes in your tooth, literally a cavity in your tooth, a cavity decaying your tooth. This is caused by the acid byproducts of plaque, biofilm and the foods drinks that we consume. Some of the most common areas for this to happen, for cavities to develop, include the deep pits and grooves of your back teeth, your molars and between the teeth, where your toothbrush doesn’t clean, where you’re supposed to be flossing. And if you’re not a philosopher between the teeth is the most common area for bacteria to infect, thus the most common area for cavities.
Cavities Are Preventable
The good news is that cavities are preventable and diagnosing them early can prevent them from growing and spreading.
Protip: cavities are communicable diseases, meaning they can actually spread from one to another. They are contagious. So if you have one cavity between two of your teeth, it will often spread to the next tooth, to both teeth. So then you have two cavities.
Dental Fillings: What’s the difference?
Now, what is it filling? Lots of patients say to me they still don’t understand what a cavity is and then ask also what’s the difference between cavities and fillings? So we already answered what a cavity is. It’s literally the tooth getting eaten away by bacteria. But a filling is what happens after your dentist removes the tooth decay, removes the cavity and then fills it in to reinforce the tooth.
Today’s dental fillings are usually made out of tooth-colored material called composite or resin. They come in a variety of different shades of white so that your dentist can select the best color to blend in with your tooth to match your other teeth. Most offices do not use the amalgam silver fillings anymore. Some do, but it’s not as common. This is because the tooth-colored fillings bond closely to your enamel, making them less invasive than the silver fillings. There are, of course, always exceptions. For example, silver fillings may still be used if the cavity is super large or if the tooth is difficult to keep dry during the procedure. More common with kids in pediatric dentistry.
Now, if you have a cavity that has eaten through your enamel, the outer layer of your tooth and it has reached the next layer, the dentin layer of your tooth, a filling is always recommended to save your tooth from further damage. If you leave the decay there for too long without getting a filling, it will continue to eat away at your tooth, causing one of two things.
Crown
One, there might not be enough enamel left on your tooth anymore to properly fill it. If too much to surface has been eroded, a crown or a cap will usually be recommended to properly save your tooth.
Root Canal
If the cavity keeps getting deeper and deeper and reaches the nerve of your tooth, the innermost layer of your tooth. This is when you are most likely to start feeling pain and will need a root canal to properly finger tooth followed by a crown.
Conclusion
Cavities are the active tooth decay and the fillings are the healthy filled teeth which are no longer cavities. Cavities are preventable with good daily dental care and regular checkups at your dentist, I do have a posts all about how to prevent cavities and reduce your chance of tooth decay. So I hope that answers your question. You don’t want cavities, you don’t really want fillings, but you rather have a filling than a cavity because that means your cavity is no longer there and it’s filled up in nice and healthy.
Causes of tooth decay
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a very common dental problem that affects people of all ages. This condition starts with the formation of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. The bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks the tooth enamel, causing it to erode. Over time, the acid can penetrate deeper into the tooth, leading to cavities.
There are several causes of tooth decay. One of the main culprits is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque builds up on your teeth, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Another cause is a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates. Sugary drinks, candies, and starchy foods such as bread and pasta can stick to your teeth and combine with bacteria to produce acid.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also increase your risk of tooth decay. For example, conditions that lead to dry mouth (xerostomia), such as Sjogren’s syndrome or radiation therapy, can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, making it easier for plaque to form. Some medications, such as antihistamines, can also cause dry mouth.
Finally, genetics play a role in tooth decay. Some people are more prone to cavities due to the structure of their teeth or the strength of their enamel. Additionally, genetic factors can influence the composition of saliva, which can affect the growth of bacteria in the mouth and lead to the development of plaque.
To prevent tooth decay, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary and starchy foods, and drinking plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. With proper care, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy for years to come.
Causes of tooth decay
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a very common dental problem that affects people of all ages. This condition starts with the formation of plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. The bacteria in plaque produce acid that attacks the tooth enamel, causing it to erode. Over time, the acid can penetrate deeper into the tooth, leading to cavities.
There are several causes of tooth decay. One of the main culprits is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, plaque builds up on your teeth, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Another cause is a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates. Sugary drinks, candies, and starchy foods such as bread and pasta can stick to your teeth and combine with bacteria to produce acid.
Certain medical conditions and medications can also increase your risk of tooth decay. For example, conditions that lead to dry mouth (xerostomia), such as Sjogren’s syndrome or radiation therapy, can reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, making it easier for plaque to form. Some medications, such as antihistamines, can also cause dry mouth.
Finally, genetics play a role in tooth decay. Some people are more prone to cavities due to the structure of their teeth or the strength of their enamel. Additionally, genetic factors can influence the composition of saliva, which can affect the growth of bacteria in the mouth and lead to the development of plaque.
To prevent tooth decay, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly, avoiding sugary and starchy foods, and drinking plenty of water. It’s also a good idea to visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. With proper care, you can keep your teeth strong and healthy for years to come.
Cavities and their symptoms
Cavities, also known as tooth decay, are one of the most common dental problems. They occur when bacteria in the mouth produce acid that erodes the enamel – the outer layer of the tooth – over time. The resulting hole in the tooth can cause pain, sensitivity, and even tooth loss if left untreated. It’s important to understand the symptoms of cavities so that you can take action before they progress further.
One of the most common signs of cavities is tooth sensitivity. You may feel a dull, throbbing pain in one or more teeth when eating or drinking hot or cold foods and beverages. As the cavity worsens, you may experience sharp pain when biting down or pressure on the affected tooth. You may also notice visible discoloration or staining on the tooth, indicating that decay has penetrated the surface.
Another symptom of cavities is bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth. This is caused by the buildup of bacteria in the cavities. If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to the gums, leading to gum disease and other more serious dental problems.
Preventing cavities is essential for maintaining good oral health. You can reduce your risk of developing cavities by practicing good dental hygiene, such as brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. If you do experience tooth sensitivity or other symptoms of cavities, be sure to contact your dentist right away to discuss your treatment options. With proper care, you can maintain a healthy smile for years to come.
Complications associated with untreated tooth decay
Tooth decay is a common oral health problem that occurs when the natural bacteria in the mouth interact with the sugary and starchy foods we eat to form a sticky film on our teeth called plaque. Over time, the acid produced by the bacteria in the plaque begins to erode the enamel layer of the teeth, leading to cavities, which are holes in the teeth that can cause pain, sensitivity, and an increased risk of infection.
If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to several complications, including dental abscesses, which occur when the infection in the tooth spreads to the surrounding tissue and bone. Dental abscesses can cause severe pain, swelling, and fever and can even be life-threatening if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.
Untreated tooth decay can also lead to gum disease, a common condition that occurs when the bacteria in the mouth infect the gums, causing them to become inflamed, swollen, and bleed easily. Gum disease can cause bad breath, tooth loss, and even increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Moreover, untreated tooth decay can also affect your overall health. Studies have found that poor oral health is linked to a range of systemic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and certain cancers. This is because the same bacteria that cause dental problems can also enter the bloodstream and affect other parts of the body.
In conclusion, it is essential to seek dental care at the first sign of tooth decay because untreated tooth decay can lead to serious complications. Regular dental checkups, a healthy diet, and good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth decay and its associated complications, ensuring healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime.
