What is a Dental Cavity and how do I know if I have one?

Dental cavities are permanently damaged areas on the surfaces of our teeth that develop into openings or holes. It is also called tooth decay or caries. Cavities are caused by several factors inside the mouth including bacteria, frequent snacking, eating or drinking sugary substances and poor oral hygiene. It is one of the world’s most common health problems especially in children, teenagers and older adults.

It is important to note that cavities cannot heal by themselves and if left untreated spread into the deeper layers of the tooth, affecting the nerve and blood supply and causing infection and abscess formation.

The signs and symptoms of cavities vary largely depending on the depth of the decay and also the location. It is important to note that small cavities may have no symptoms at all and that it is only as the decay gets larger and deeper into the tooth structure that the following symptoms may appear:

• Spontaneous toothache that occurs without any cause
• Tooth Hypersensitivity
• Pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
• Visible holes or spots on your teeth
• Brown, black or white staining on the surfaces of the teeth
• Pain when you bite on a specific tooth

The following are risk factors for developing cavities

• Foods and drinks with high sugar content that stick to the teeth such as toffees and candy
• Frequent snacking and sipping on substances with a high sugar content
• Bedtime feeding of infants with bottles filled with milk, formula and sugar containing liquids
• Poor oral hygiene
• Not getting enough fluoride
• Patients with dry mouth due to medications or dehydration
• Worn fillings
• Heartburn and eating disorders

It is so important that patients understand that the fact that they don’t have pain, discomfort or sensitivity, does not mean that they do not have cavities. This is also the reason why most Dentists advise patients to have a full check-up at least every 12 months.

If a cavity is still in the early stages of formation, it can be easily restored with a small white Resin Composite restoration (filling). If a cavity has reached the stage of sensitivity or pain, there is a high chance that the decay has spread into the nerve canal of the tooth. The only treatment option at this stage is either saving the tooth with a Root Canal Treatment or Extracting the offending tooth. It makes the treatment more complicated, more expensive and potentially more uncomfortable for the patient.

I want to urge everyone to make an attempt to visit your Dentist at least once a year for a complete examination. Remember, prevention is the best form of cure. In our next insert we will discuss the complications of cavities that are left untreated.

Kind regards

Dr Ruan Rademeyer