Cavities are a common dental issue in the UK.
In fact, 92% of adults are said to have a dental cavity at some point in their life. New statistics have also revealed that one in four children will experience tooth decay and cavities by the age of five.
Here we take a closer look at exactly what dental cavities are and how they can be treated.
What are cavities?
Dental cavities – also known as dental caries or caries – are, essentially, holes that form in the teeth.
These holes develop due to tooth decay. Your mouth is full of bacteria, which forms a film over the teeth called dental plaque. When you consume things that are high in carbohydrates, such as sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria reacts with the sugar and produces an acid. Over time, this acid will weaken the surface of the teeth (i.e. the enamel) and cavities can start to appear.
Children are particularly prone to dental cavities, as they don’t tend to brush their teeth as thoroughly as adults, and plaque can quickly start to build. But you can get them at any age. And they can form on the biting surface, the root surface, or in hard-to-reach areas between the teeth.
What are the main symptoms of dental caries?
Tooth decay itself often doesn’t cause any pain or discomfort. You may not even be aware you have it. But if that decay develops into a cavity, symptoms can begin to arise. The most common include:
Toothache – this could be either a continuous dull ache, in one or more of your teeth, or an occasional sharp pain that occurs for no obvious reason.
Sensitivity – you may feel tenderness, pain, or discomfort after eating or drinking something hot or cold, or experience a lingering sensitivity to sweets or sugary drinks.
Staining – white spots may first appear on the surface of the tooth, which become darker (e.g. turning grey, brown or black) as the tooth decay becomes more advanced.
You may also see a visible hole or pit in the tooth. And many people suffering from caries will experience bad breath or notice an unpleasant taste – which persists long after brushing.
How can dental caries be treated?
Dental cavities are much easier to treat in their early stages.
In fact, if caught early enough, tooth decay can be reversed – simply by reducing your intake of sugary foods and drinks and brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. That’s why it’s incredibly important to have regular dental check-ups. Our dentists can quickly spot the initial signs of decay and advise on the best steps to resolve the issue at home.
If a cavity has already formed, a variety of treatments are available – and the right one for you will depend on the severity of your tooth decay and the caries that have developed. These include:
– Fillings and crowns – used to treat decay and cavities on the surface of the tooth. The decay will be cleared and the hole either filled (using a resin) or covered with a crown.
– Root canal treatment – this may be needed to remove tooth decay that’s spread to the pulp (i.e. the centre of the tooth where the blood and nerves are). The damaged pulp will be fully removed, the tooth cavity will be cleaned and filled, and a crown placed over the affected tooth.
– Extraction – if the tooth has been severely damaged by the decay, it may need to be fully or partially removed. It can then be replaced using dentures, bridges, implants or veneers.
Think you may have a dental cavity?
If left untreated, cavities can cause pain and infections and may lead to problems with eating and speaking. What’s more, the earlier they’re detected, the quicker and easier treatment will be. So if you’ve noticed any of the tell-tale signs, be sure to book an appointment with the specialists at our St Helens dental clinic.
We currently offer all of the treatments outlined above. During an initial consultation, we can discuss these options in detail and create a bespoke treatment plan to tackle your dental caries – and prevent them from occurring again in the future. Either give us a call on 01744 25776 or send an email to info@kilnlanedental.co.uk and a member of the team will respond as soon as possible.