Cavities: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Cavities - Willow Pass Dental Care - Concord, CA

Being diagnosed with cavities is the worst possible outcome of a routine dental examination, whether young or old. Not only does it mean that your teeth may be damaged or rotten, but it also means that some potentially uncomfortable dental procedures, such as a dental extraction or root canal, may be just around the corner.

Even worse, until recently, patients diagnosed with cavities often had to deal with the embarrassment of being told that they didn’t practice proper dental hygiene or ate too much candy.

While in many cases, cavities are indeed the result of poor lifestyle choices, more and more research is beginning to shed light on the fact that, for some, cavities are merely a result of unlucky genetics.

What are cavities?

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are quite simply a penetration of a tooth’s dental enamel due to the action of acid-spewing bacteria. Thanks to certain oral microbes that feed on sugar and produce acid as a byproduct, tiny holes can form on a tooth’s surface. Over time these holes in the enamel can deepen and widen, eventually leading to damage of underlying dentin and, if left untreated, infection of a tooth’s sensitive pulp.

Typically, mild tooth decay that has not penetrated the enamel can be reversed with a rigorous and routine brushing with fluoridated toothpaste. However, once the acid has penetrated through to the dentin, or worse, bacteria have made their way to the tooth’s inner pulp, more extreme measures may be required to save the tooth.

Common Symptoms of Cavities

For many people, cavities don’t become apparent until they feel pain. Unfortunately, by this point, it is often too late as pain indicates that a tooth’s nerves, and therefore the inner pulp, have been compromised.

However, there are plenty of other signs and symptoms patients should be aware of to help them identify a cavity before it is too late.

Common symptoms of cavities are a toothache, dental sensitivity, and tooth pain without any apparent cause. Visual clues that it’s time to see a dentist may include white, brown, or black staining and visible pits or holes. Sometimes, when dental decay is severe, a foul odor may even be detectable.

Common symptoms of cavities

The following are common symptoms of cavities:

Tooth pain or sensitivity – This may present as a sharp pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet. The pain stems from irritation in the tooth’s inner layers.
Visible holes or pits in teeth – Cavities appear as dark spots, holes, or cracks on the enamel surface. As they worsen, the hole becomes deeper.
Brown, black, or white discolorations on teeth – Early decay shows up as white spots. As the enamel erodes, cavities look dark.
Pain when biting down – Pressure on the decayed area during chewing can cause discomfort or pain. The pain is often intermittent.
Bad breath – Cavities harbor bacteria, food, and debris that produce foul-smelling odors detectable on the breath.
Dull, throbbing toothaches – As the decay reaches inner structures like the pulp, more severe constant pain may occur.
Loose teeth or broken fillings – Advanced decay undermines the integrity of tooth structure or previous fillings.

While cavities may not produce symptoms at first, pain and sensitivity are common as they enlarge. Checking for visible signs of decay through dental exams is important to detect cavities early.

What Should You Know About Cavities?

Cavities are reversible up to a certain point. This is because dental enamel can naturally repair and remineralize itself over time. However, once a cavity has damaged dentin or enters the soft center of the inner tooth, it may be too late.

That’s why prevention and early detection are key. Knowing how to prevent and detect cavities can mean the difference between a costly dental procedure and a happy, healthy smile.

Key facts you should know about cavities

Proper oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, early intervention, and dental visits can reduce cavity development and limit progression.

Cavities are caused by tooth decay from acids produced by oral bacteria feeding on sugary and starchy foods. This erodes the tooth enamel.
Warning signs include tooth pain, visible pits or holes in teeth, brown/black stains, sensitivity, bad breath, and throbbing. Catching early prevents worsening.
Certain foods like candy, soda, and refined carbs increase cavity risk. The frequency of acidic exposures matters more than the amount.
Preventive measures include brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, reducing sugary foods, and getting dental cleanings.
Fluoride strengthens enamel and disrupts decay. Water fluoridation and topical treatments like varnish help.
Genetics and dry mouth also contribute to cavity susceptibility. Saliva neutralizes acids and provides protective components.
Early, small cavities can be treated with fillings. Larger cavities may require crowns, root canals, or tooth extraction.
Untreated cavities lead to infection of the tooth pulp, abscesses, chewing issues, and eventual tooth loss.
Regular dental exams allow early cavity detection via X-rays and visual inspection before major damage occurs.

I brush and floss my teeth every day. Why am I still getting cavities?

Teeth Cleaning - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

For many, genetics play a key role in determining their oral health. However, some people are more prone to developing cavities due to their natural oral microbiomes or any number of other factors out of their control.

However, while genetics may either increase or decrease a person’s risk of developing dental caries, ultimately, each individual’s dental hygiene habits and dietary choices will determine whether they are prone to get cavities or not.

How do I prevent cavities?

Flossing tools for healthier teeth - Concord, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, Martinez

The best way to prevent cavities is to attack them at their source. That means either directly eliminating harmful oral microbes through brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash, or, starving bacteria of their fuel by eating less sugar.

Traditionally, dentists have placed great emphasis on attacking bacteria directly. More and more dental professionals are beginning to take a more holistic view in which diet and hygiene both play complementary roles in preventing cavities.

Another essential aspect of cavity prevention is merely visiting Willow Pass Dental Care regularly for routine checkups and dental examinations. A dental checkup will allow our team to quickly determine with high accuracy whether you have a cavity or not and what to do if you are diagnosed with dental caries. More importantly, dental checkups are critical for catching and treating problems, such as early-stage dental decay, before they become irreversible.

I have one or more cavities. Now what?

Dr. Reza Khazaie and Patient - Willow Pass Dental Care, Concord, CA

The first step is to take a deep breath and relax. Unfortunately, most people will get a cavity at some point in their lives. Even people with impeccable oral hygiene habits may one day find themselves faced with the prospect of receiving a filling or possibly a root canal or tooth extraction.

If you suspect that you may have cavities, schedule an appointment at Willow Pass Dental Care. The sooner you can get treatment, the better.

If one of our dentists confirms that you do, indeed, have a cavity, it’s time to discuss a treatment plan to eradicate dental caries.

Cavity treatments

Cavity treatments will depend on the severity of a patient’s cavity. For mild cavities, a filling is typically employed.

This process entails drilling out the decayed part of the tooth and filling in the empty void with some dental material, either amalgam or another filling substance.

However, a root canal may be necessary when dental decay has reached a tooth’s roots. Also known as endodontic therapy, a root canal involves completely removing and cleaning the inner tooth, including the pulp, to save the tooth.

When a tooth is beyond rescue, we will recommend a complete dental extraction. The diseased tooth is removed and usually replaced with either a dental implant or another dental prosthetic. The good news is there are plenty of solutions.

The most common cavity treatments

Here are the most common cavity treatments performed by a dentist:

Dental fillings – Removing decayed material and filling the hole with materials like composite resin, amalgam, or gold. This helps stop the progression of small to mid-sized cavities.
Dental crowns – Capping a tooth with a porcelain or ceramic crown to reinforce its structure and prevent fracture. Used for large or deep cavities.
Root canals – If decay compromises the inner pulp, a root canal may be done to remove infected tissue and prevent tooth loss.
Tooth extractions – For severely damaged teeth, extraction may be the best option. It can be replaced with a bridge or implant.
Preventive resin restorations – Applying plastic resin coating to areas susceptible to early decay to stop it from forming cavities.
Silver diamine fluoride – Applying this liquid compound can arrest early cavities and prevent new ones through antibacterial action.
Dental sealants – Bonding plastic sealing onto chewing surfaces of molars to protect vulnerable pits and fissures prone to decay.

The treatment chosen depends on the size and location of the cavities and the assessment of the dentist as to the best option for each case. Regular dental exams and teeth cleanings help detect cavities early when they are easiest to treat.