Tooth Decay and its repercussions

What can occur if I don’t get my cavities filled?

After visiting a dentist, you have been told that you have some level of tooth decay. The dentist may offer you their opinion on when you should look at getting it filled, but you wonder what might happen if I don’t go to the recommendations. We will explore that in this article and help you understand why proper oral care is so critical not only to your smile but also to your overall health.

There are different stages of tooth decay. It usually starts with a small spot that has not broken through the enamel. This is the beginning, and it will most likely not repair on its own but has a slight chance of doing so. Tall tale signs that you might have a cavity and should visit your dentist are:

• Visible spots on the tooth
• Pain when drinking or eating something cold or hot
• Pain when chewing in general
• Bad Breath that cannot be cured with some mouthwash and brushing
• Tooth sensitivity
• Toothache
• Swelling, abscess, or inflammation around a tooth

The Stages of Tooth Decay

The first stage is called the white spot. This is the stage where it hasn’t broken through the enamel just yet. While at this stage, with proper treatments, the cavity decay may have a chance of being reversed.  

Once the white spot has grown, it will enter phase 2 of a cavity. This is where the cavity has broken through the enamel. At this point, the tooth cannot repair itself. However, it can be saved relatively easily and is far less painful and costly than leaving it to further down the stages, which will happen over time.

Once the tooth hits stage 3, the decay has moved further down the line and has eroded the soft dentin layer below the enamel. The good news is that it hasn’t, at least at this stage, reached the pulp. But give it time, and that’s where the decay is headed. It is advised not to wait any longer at this stage. The tooth can be saved, most likely without a root canal. You may feel some discomfort at this stage, which is more painful than stages 1 and 2.

Stage 4 is a stage that you really don’t want to reach. At this point, the decay has gone through the tooth. This is an excruciating stage. However, the tooth can be saved in most cases at this stage. It will need a root canal, which is far more costly than if you had taken care of the issue early. This is one of many reasons we recommend that you take care of cavities as soon as they start. 

The Last Stage is Life-Threatening

The last stage is stage 5, which can be fatal if untreated. It is also very painful and can cause a lot of distress in patients. This will have infection throughout the jawline, and infection of the mouth will carry over to the entire body through the bloodstream. That means that it can cause infection throughout the body and attack certain organs.   Stage 5 cannot be reversed and will need a tooth extraction. Again, at this stage, it is life-threatening and should be avoided.  

Protect yourself and your loved ones from life-threatening tooth issues by visiting the dentist in Bendigo regularly and doing primary oral care at home. If you have a tooth causing you some pain, be sure to make a special appointment to have that checked out.  Better safe than sorry.