Dr. Chandana Annyam (BDS)
Published on - 20 Nov 2023
Tooth decay is the damage that occurs to your teeth, potentially leading to the development of cavities, dental abscesses, or even the loss of a tooth. It is triggered by certain types of bacteria present in dental plaque, which can convert the sugars in your food into acids. If plaque accumulates over time, these acids can start damaging your teeth.
Tooth decay occurs in several stages. The appearance of tooth decay can vary based on its severity. In later stages, you might encounter additional symptoms such as pain and swollen lymph nodes.
Below, we’ll explore each of these stages, discuss how tooth decay is treated, and give you some tips on how to prevent it from happening.
Stages of Tooth Decay:
- 1.Initial Demineralisation
- 2.Enamel Decay
- 3.Dentin Decay
- 4.Pulp Damage
Stage1: Initial Demineralisation
Your teeth's outer layer is made up of enamel. Enamel is the toughest tissue in your body and is largely made up of calcium.
Nevertheless, when a tooth is exposed to acids produced by plaque bacteria, the enamel starts losing these minerals. When this occurs, you may observe a white spot on one of your teeth, marking the initial sign of tooth decay.
Stage2: Enamel Decay
Enamel will deteriorate further if the tooth decay still persists. A white spot on a tooth may progress to a brownish tint. As your enamel deteriorates, small holes in your teeth, referred to as cavities or dental caries, may develop.
Stage 3: Dentin decay
Dentin is the tissue found beneath the enamel. Because it is softer than enamel, it is more vulnerable to acid attack. As a result, tooth decay progresses more quickly when it reaches the dentin.
Dentin also contains tubes that connect to the tooth's nerves. Because of this, when dentin is affected by tooth decay, you may begin experiencing sensitivity. It tends to increase while having hot or cold foods or drinks.
Stage 4: Pulp damage
Pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels that help to keep the tooth healthy. The nerves present in the pulp also provide sensation to the tooth.
When damage reaches pulp, it may become irritated and start to swell. Because the surrounding tissues in the tooth can’t expand to accommodate this swelling, pressure is exerted on the nerves. This can lead to pain.
Prevention
- Visit dentist for regular dental checkups.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Try to avoid consuming foods and drinks with a high amount of sugar.
- Limit between-meal snacking to prevent bacteria from lingering for extended periods.
- Pit and fissure sealant application
Treatment
The recommended treatment for tooth decay varies depending on its stage. Let’s take a look at the different treatment options based on the progression of tooth decay.
Initial demineralization
This earliest stage of tooth decay can actually be reversed before more permanent damage occurs. This can be achieved by treating the teeth with fluoride.
You can receive a fluoride treatment at your dentist’s office. It is often applied to your teeth in the form of a gel or varnish. Fluoride works to strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to the acids produced by plaque bacteria.
Fluoride can also be found in some types of toothpastes.
Enamel decay
When tooth decay reaches this stage, it indicates that a cavity has already started. Fillings are the treatment of choice for cavities.
Dentin decay
Because dentin is softer than the enamel, decay moves at a faster rate when it reaches this stage. If identified early, dentin decay may be treated with a filling. In more advanced cases, additional placement of a crown may be required.
Pulp damage
When tooth decay has reached the pulp, you’ll often need a root canal treatment. In a root canal, the damaged pulp is removed. The tooth cavity is then cleaned and filled in. A crown is placed on the affected tooth.
So, be aware of cavities and visit Dentist for regular Dental Checkup twice a year.