The beginning of a cavity is a harrowing and alarming event for oral structures. A cavity can destroy your teeth and alveolar bone as well.
Also, when the cavity penetrates from enamel to dentine, it can cause unbearable pain, limiting your daily life activities like eating and speaking properly.
If you are entirely unaware of oral diseases, you question what a cavity is and how it is formed. I am here to help you as we will discuss how cavities formation begins, how you can prevent it, and what factors promote cavity formation.
Beginning Of A Cavity
Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the enamel of your teeth, and if left untreated, they penetrate deep into the teeth.
Cavities are also known as tooth decay and appear as black or brown spot on teeth.
Multiple factors lead to carries formation, such as acid buildup in the mouth, frequent snacking, and intake of excessive sugary foods.
Cavities don’t form suddenly, and it takes much time for the proper development of a cavity; let’s look at how a cavity begins and develops further.
Demineralization
The first step of tooth decay or cavities formation is the demineralization of enamel. Our enamel, just like our bone, is made up of minerals.
Exposure of teeth to acidic environments leads to dissolving minerals from the enamel.
Minerals such as calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite are absorbed from the enamel by acid, and the enamel becomes porous; at this stage, you can reverse cavity formation by using fluoridated toothpaste and maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Enamel Decay
If demineralization is not treated at a time, then the second stage will start, which is the erosion of enamel over time.
After some time, holes will start developing in enamel because of constant exposure to acids; these holes are called caries or cavities.
Once a proper hole is developed in the enamel, it can’t be reversed and requires appropriate professional treatment.
Dentine Decay
Some people who don’t know much about oral care routine also don’t know that cavities are the consequence of ignored oral hygiene.
In such cases, the cavity will continue to grow and reach the dentine of the teeth; unlike enamel, dentine is soft tissue and sensitive.
Once the hole progress to the dentine, your teeth will start hurting, and your daily activities like eating or drinking will be compromised.
It is the point where dental treatment becomes necessary, and you may need an inlay, filling, or even a dental crown, depending on the size and type of cavity.
Pulp Decay
In most cases, when dentine is affected, pulp also gets involved.
The pulp is a layer under the dentine, containing sensitive nerves and blood vessels.
When the cavity penetrates from dentine to pulp, the decaying process is accelerated, and excessive swelling, pain, and inflammation are observed in affected teeth.
When the pulp is affected by cavities, the treatment is not limited to crown and filling and requires a root canal.
Abscess
A dental abscess is formed when the bacteria cause cavities to penetrate the pulp.
The bacterial formation in the pulp often leads to infection, and a pocket of pus is formed beneath the tooth. The pocket of the puss causes unbearable pain, and this is the stage when the dentist will remove your teeth.
How Long Does It Take For A Cavity To Form?
It is also a very common question asked by most patients, but this question has no exact answer as the formation of cavities is affected by different factors.
How long it will take to form a cavity depends on factors such as
- How much plaque is formed on the teeth, and what are the levels of acidity in the mouth
- How often are teeth exposed to acids (external or internal both)
- How thick and healthy is enamel
- Location of the teeth and how much plaque is present on that teeth
Cavity formation is not a day or even a month process. In most cases, it takes years for a cavity to develop properly, So if you are maintaining a proper oral care routine, then there are very few chances of you developing a cavity.
How Can You Prevent Cavity Formation?
A cavity formation can be reversed and prevented by following some simple steps.
If you feel that you are at risk of developing cavities or excessive plaque on your teeth, follow the steps given below.
These simple measures will help slow down the cavity’s progression and even reverse it.
- Sugary foods are one of the top reasons for cavity formation so try to limit your sugar intake
- Brush your teeth twice a day and try to use a toothpaste that is approved by Ada, as all American dental association approved toothpaste has fluoride
- According to the guidelines of the American dental association, flossing at least once a day helps to clean in between the teeth and reduce the risk of surface cavities formation
- Try to use a mouthwash and consider buying a mouthwash rich in fluoride or antibacterial ones
- Visit your dentist regularly as it will help to spot the cavity at the early stages and prevent excessive loss of oral structures
- If you are at risk of cavities, then try to switch from manual toothbrush to electric toothpaste and from manual floss to water flosser.
Once a cavity is formed on teeth, there is no way back. It will penetrate deeper into pulp and dentine if left untreated, but it can’t be reversed even if you start using toothpaste rich in fluoride at that time, so when you observe a hole that is blackish or brown, then immediately contact your dentist so that he can stop it at early stages.
How Long Does It Take For a Cavity to Reach a Nerve?
This question is also very common, and there is no fixed answer to this question as Well, when the cavity penetrates towards enamel, it usually takes significantly less time at that stage to penetrate to the dentin or pulp.
In pulp, exposed blood vessels and nerve endings carry pain signals to the brain.
Once the cavity reaches the pulp, it causes unbearable pain in the teeth, and sometimes the pain also penetrates the whole jaw. So make sure that you treat your cavity in the early stages because once the cavity penetrates, the enamel takes a very short time to reach the pulp.
FAQs
What is the main contributing factor for cavity formation?
The main cause of cavities formation is acid erosion
How much pain can a cavity cause?
Cavities can cause unbearable pain when reaching the tooth nerve. They can refrain you from speaking, eating and even sleeping
Can you reverse a cavity formation?
Yes a cavity formation can be reversed bit it’s only in demineralization stage after that professional interference is necessary for stoping a cavity.
Conclusion
The beginning of a cavity is a very complex event and includes multiple factors such as intake of excessive sugar foods and improper oral hygiene.
We can prevent it at the early stages by taking proper care of your oral structures, so make sure to brush and properly floss so that you don’t develop a cavity.