Stunning Black and White Photography of Dr Zenaidy Castro
Pain is no fun. No matter how old you are or where your pain is, hurting is no good. If you have ever had a toothache, you know what we are talking about.
Whether it is from an injury, an infection, gum disease, or another reason, tooth pain can go from 0 to insane quickly.
How Cavities Form
A cavity forms as the result of tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by the erosion of your tooth enamel. Oral bacteria, which live in your mouth, feed on lingering sugars. As they eat, they produce harmful acids, which eat away at the enamel of your teeth. Brushing helps to keep the number of oral bacteria down, and it helps to eliminate the acids on your teeth. Ignoring your oral care routine, or simply missing certain areas of your mouth, gives the acids time to cause the formation of a small pit (cavity) in the enamel. Bacteria take up residence in this pit, and continue their destruction. Over time, the cavity grows larger. Untreated, it can begin to destroy the tooth, weakening it. It can also enter into the inner layer of the tooth, allowing bacteria in. If this happens, a painful infection can form. For these reasons, treating cavities as soon as they are noticed is very important.
Stunning Black and White Photography of Dr Zenaidy Castro
What Causes Toothaches?
You get pain in your mouth for a variety of reasons. Toothaches tend to come from something happening in your teeth or gums.
- An injury to your jaw
- Sinus infection
- Tooth decay
- A filling falling out
- Infected tooth
- Food or something else wedged between your teeth
- Wisdom teeth crowning through your gums or pressing against the surrounding teeth
- Gum disease, also known as Gingivitis or periodontal disease
- Teeth grinding
What You Can Do About Toothache Pain
Here are some ways that you can stop or at least ease off your pain:
- Take Some Over-the-Counter Medication – Meds such as Ibuprofen (or related Advil and Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin are all good at relieving pain you may have from a toothache. Numbing gels can help, but make sure not to use products with benzocaine for young children.
- Elevate Your Head –Elevation helps to support an injured area. Keeping your head up will stop your blood from rushing to and staying in your head. The more blood pools in an area of your body, the more intense the pain will be.
- Watch What you Eat – Mouthwash, especially mouthwash with alcohol, can disinfect your teeth and mouth and even numb it a bit.
- Ice the Painful Area – Ice is a great tool in dampening pain and reducing inflammation. Give it a try and alternate between having an ice pack on for 10-20 minutes, then keeping it off for that amount of time.
Stunning Black and White Photography of Dr Zenaidy Castro
When is it Time to See the Dentist?
Right away! Especially if you experience the following:
- Severe pain
- A toothache that lasts more than two days
- You get a fever, headache, or more pain when you open your mouth
- Breathing or swallowing becomes difficult
Stunning Black and White Photography of Dr Zenaidy Castro
How Long Does It Take For a Cavity To Develop?
Cavities don’t just form overnight. It can take months, or possibly even years, before the decay process advances to the point where a tooth requires attention. The entire process of tooth demineralization takes place whenever an acidic oral environment exists, and fortunately, this environment isn’t the norm for a person’s mouth.
Early-stage tooth decay can be corrected when it’s caught early enough, which is why it’s so essential to visit your dentist every six months for an exam.
Every Cavity Is Different
The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily. This means that a cavity can start to form and then not have the right conditions to continue to develop. A cavity won’t just go away on its own; however, it can be slower to form, which allows your dentist to correct the issue before it gets worse.
Stunning Black and White Photography of Dr Zenaidy Castro
Factors That Come Into Play
There are several types of factors that can significantly influence the length of time it takes for a cavity to form. The most common factors that can increase or decrease the speed in which cavity forms include:
- Acid Levels – Cavities will start to develop when acid levels in the mouth increase.
- The number of Acid Attacks – Teeth are extremely strong. However, if a tooth is subjected to multiple small acid attacks, eventually, a cavity will form.
- Location Where the Cavity is Forming – Enamel is durable and contains minerals, which means it will take longer for a cavity to form in enamel than in the dentin of a tooth.
- The thickness of the Tooth Enamel – Tooth enamel is thinner near the gum line, which means that cavities form quicker near the gums than they do on the tops of teeth.
- Quality of the Tooth Enamel – Enamel that contains lots of minerals will take longer to get a cavity than enamel that has fewer minerals.
Can Tooth Damage from cavity be Reversed?
If your dentist tells you that you have a cavity forming, there are ways to stop early-stage tooth decay from progressing into a full-blown cavity. The process known as remineralization can occur, which can reverse tooth decay.
Remineralization can correct damage to a tooth. When a cavity begins to form, the enamel or dentin starts to lose valuable minerals that protect the tooth. You can help to put these valuable materials back into the tooth by remineralizing it. The tooth will start to strengthen itself and repair the decay to the point where a cavity is no longer forming.
While remineralization can reverse some damage to the surface of a tooth and prevent some cavities, it won’t work for all situations. If the damage to the enamel or dentin is too severe, the process will be ineffective, and the cavity will need to be treated by your dentist.
Cavity Prevention Is Simple
You can do your part in helping to protect your teeth from tooth decay by following a few simple guidelines:
- Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day for a full two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss once a day.
- Incorporate a fluoride mouthwash into your oral care routine.
- Avoid sugary and starchy foods, and avoid frequent snacking.
Having regular teeth cleanings and exams every six months is another necessary step in eliminating cavity-causing plaque and tartar. During these exams, your dentist will be able to identify any early signs of tooth decay and give you the tools and knowledge to combat cavities.
What Happens if You Don’t Treat a Cavity?
Cavity might as well be a four letter word.
Cavities have been a bad word for as long as they have had a name. It is no secret that the very thought of one may make your teeth clench in opposition to treatment.
The majority of people are familiar with cavities and know the treatment process, including regular cleaning exams. But most people don’t know the process of what happens to a tooth if it’s left untreated.
We hope that by telling you what happens with a bad cavity will lead you to making proper oral hygiene a part of your daily routine. Here’s a brief summary of what to expect if a cavity goes untreated.
A Bad Cavity Can Bring Further Decay
Cavities don’t just go away on their own. If you ignore a cavity, it will continue to grow in size. One bad cavity could lead to a second cavity before long. Decay of the tooth will widen and deepen; this will make you more prone to brittle teeth leaving them to the possibility of cracking and breaking.
How Serious Cavities Impact Your Nerves
Taking it a step further, if cavities go untreated the decay will eventually reach your nerves. This can be severely painful because nerves become exposed to the air as a cavity progresses. Nerve pain can be an ongoing and excruciating ordeal as the sensitivity within the tooth continues to be compromised. By this time, the tooth will either need a root canal or to be extracted.
Infection from a Bad Cavity
Infection in the mouth and jaw area is of greatest concern even above the pain you may experience. Infection can lead to increased pain, swelling, and other health concerns. You’ll need an antibiotic to help fight the infection along with treatment of the tooth to take care of the cavity in whatever way the dentist feels is best.
As you can see, letting a cavity progress certainly has a snowball effect. Treatment is very easy when cavities begin but can be much more involved if you ignore them. If you suspect that you have a cavity, you should seek immediate treatment from your dentist.
Complications from tooth cavities
A tooth cavity can cause a variety of complications if it’s left untreated. These include:
- ongoing tooth pain
- a tooth abscess, which can become infected and trigger life-threatening complications, like an infection that enters the bloodstream or sepsis
- the development of pus around the infected tooth
- an increased risk for breaking or chipping a tooth
- difficulty chewing food
You may cause damage to your tooth that can’t be reversed if you put off seeing a dentist. At this point, the only way to fix the cavity is for your dentist to remove the tooth and replace it with an implant or bridge.
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Most tooth bonding will last anywhere from 3-10 years, depending on which teeth are bonded and how well you care for them. There is ongoing research about the products used in the dental bonding process, with hopes of further improving the materials most commonly used.
The cost of teeth straightening can vary depending on the complexity of the treatment and the type of veneering materials and the the type of treatment you choose.
It depends on how much work there but roughly you are looking at 2-4 appointments versus about more or less 2 years of traditional braces
BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS WITH COMPOSITE RESIN VENEERS / DENTAL BONDING
