Keeping up with good oral hygiene is quite challenging mainly because the negative impacts of not doing so take quite a long time to set in. However, once the effects set in, the pain, anxiety, and distress that tooth decay causes are enough to make someone completely distracted on anything they do in their life. In dentistry, many dental health issues can be prevented. On the other hand, not everyone is good about watching what they eat, flossing, or brushing. Knowing the early signs of cavities can help you get to the dentist sooner, for more cost-effective and less-invasive treatment. Whereas not all teeth cavities hurt or are obvious, understanding the stages of tooth decay will equip you to take action immediately.
So, to understand what stage of tooth decay, you might currently be facing, read on to learn more about what happens during each stage.
Stage 1: Enamel Lesion
The first stage involves the formation of white spots/ lesion on the tooth. Usually, this manifests itself as a bit of white or brown discoloration on the tooth surface. The initial lesion does not show up on x-rays as tooth decay, but it is an early sign that demineralisation has started. Fortunately, tooth decay at this stage can be reversed and prevented. Your dentist can recommend the use of dental sealants, fluoride treatments, better oral hygiene practices, and other general treatments.
Stage 2: Enamel Decay
This is the stage where the tooth erodes from the bottom outwards. This means that the enamel will still be in a good position for the first half of stage 2. During this stage, if a cavity appears on the surface of the tooth, the only option will be dental filling.
Stage 3: Dentin Decay
If stage two is left untreated, bacteria will continue to wear down the enamel and cavity risks reaching the dentin. Also, you would become more conscious of the cavity because the level of the tooth pain will increase, and sharp pain may be experienced in the infected tooth. At this stage, you will possibly need a dental filling to restore the tooth and prevent the cavity from reaching the pulp.
Stage 4: Involves the Pulp
This is the stage where the pulp gets infected and thus ending up to kill the nerves as well as the blood vessel within the tooth. This is a serious stage, and correction will require root canal treatment.
Stage 5: Abscess Formation
This is the most serious stage. In this stage, the infection has spread to the tip of the root and has even spread to the surrounding tissues. In some instances, it can even affect the bone. Also, the gums and tongue tend to swell, and this may affect speech.
Bottom Line
In the early stages of tooth decay, regular visits to the dentist can help reverse tooth decay. It surely pays to visit your dentist at least twice a year. Practice proper dental hygiene measures, and you will manage to keep yourself far from the final stage. You can keep yourself far from the final stage of tooth decay by taking proper care of your teeth.
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