Everything You Need To Know About Small Cavity

Small Cavity 

Tiny holes in the hard enamel of the teeth are known as dental caries. They are brought on by bacteria that convert sugar into acid on the surface of teeth. The streptococcus mutant bacterium is the most frequent culprit. Plaque is a sticky film made of bacteria.

Sing, You May Have a Dental Cavity 

Sometimes, a small cavity is impossible to detect by yourself. To detect it, a dentist would need to x-ray your teeth or possibly probe your tooth. A cavity will begin to make itself known to you at some point. 

Common Symptoms of a Developing Cavity 

1. Toothache

You could feel the need to push your tongue against your teeth because it is hurting or aching. The discomfort could get very bad when you eat something hot, cold, or sweet.

2. Sensitivity 

You’ve noticed that compared to before, one of your teeth is much more sensitive to temperature changes. You could notice yourself hurting when you drink something hot or cold.

3. Discolored or Dark Spots on a Tooth 

It might be a white spot on your tooth or a dark or discolored spot. Either way, it does not match the rest of your tooth. 

4. Hole in the Tooth

It might be a tiny hole. Or it might be a more giant hole or crack you can feel with your tongue. If you can spot a hole in your tooth, you are looking at some dental work on the horizon. 

5. Swelling or Bleeding Gums 

Your gums may look raw, red, or swollen, close to the tooth line. Your gums may even be bleeding slightly.

6. Bad Breath

The onions consumed during lunch may be to cause your bad breath. However, chronic bad breath that does not improve even after using mouthwash or brushing your teeth may indicate a cavity. Gum disease is frequently indicated by persistent bad breath.

Types of Cavities 

• Root Cavities

Occurring on the surface of a tooth’s roots, the root cavity is more common in older adults, particularly seniors, who are more likely to have gum disorders, including receding gums. 

• Root Cavity Treatment

To treat root cavities, dentists remove tooth decay and fill the cavity with a filling. Root canal therapy is usually needed if decay has spread to the pulp. Since this portion of the tooth does not have as protective enamel, tooth decay can spread relatively quickly. 

• Pit and Fissure Cavities

Commonly found on the rear molars. On the chewing surface of teeth, several kinds of cavities can develop. Since it’s easy for plaque and foot to get stuck in the crevices and grooves on the tops of teeth, pit and fissure cavities are pretty standard, especially for people who do not brush as often as they should. 

• Pit and Fissure Cavity Treatment

If found early, pit and fissure cavities can be treated with fluoride or sealants. Once the cavity becomes deeper, a dentist must remove the decay and repair the tooth with fillings, root canals, and crowns. 

Fillings typically work for smaller cavities. However, due to the severity of the tooth decay or remaining tooth, large pit and fissure cavities frequently need root canals or crowns. 

• Smooth-Surface Cavities

Smooth surface cavities, which damage the flat outside surface of teeth, are frequently found on the teeth on the sides of the mouth.    These cavities can be a problem for people who do not practice good dental hygiene. They are the least common and develop the slowest of all cavities.

• Smooth-Surface Cavity Treatment

Smooth surface cavities are easier to repair since they grow slowly. Fluoride therapies, such as gels, toothpaste, varnish, or fluoride-enriched water, can frequently help them resolve. A cavity generally takes much time to make its way through smooth surface enamel. When it does, however, a filling will b necessary. 

Interproximal cavities, which affect the smooth surface between teeth, can occasionally occur in people. The dentist usually uses an x-ray to detect cavities between teeth. If one is found to be fluoride, treatments often help. Unless the cavity entered the tooth dentin, a filling is necessary. 

Do Small Cavities Need to Be Filled?

Well, it depends. If your cavity is small enough, you probably do not need to have it filled. Early cavity diagnosis can prevent the need for a filling because tooth decay is slowly developing.

What’s even better is that regular visits to your dentist can help detect tooth decay before it causes a cavity in the first place. However, if you miss a few appointments and develop a more severe cavity, you will need to fill it to prevent further damage to your tooth.