This post from Flax Dental in Atlanta looks at the stages of tooth decay. You may have heard that once tooth enamel has eroded, it’s gone forever. This is not completely true. In the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can actually be reversed.
Reverse a cavity before it needs a filling
If you can avoid cavities in pre-teens, there’s a better chance that their teeth can stay healthy through adolescence and into adulthood.
This is because the rate of tooth decay declines as children grow.
Let’s discuss the five stages of a cavity.
Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots
The tooth begins to show signs of harm. White spots appear. They are under the surface of the enamel, but you can see them from the outside.
Demineralization will lead to these spots. When they occur in children’s molars, it can be easy to miss them. That’s why daily brushing and regular checkups are crucial.
It this stage, it’s possible to reverse a cavity before it needs a filling. Dental hygiene can stop the erosion. Fluoride can remineralize the enamel.
Can Stage 1 be reversed? Yes!
Stage 2: Enamel Decay
Did you know that tooth decay begins under the surface of the enamel?
The visible enamel is intact for the first part of Stage 2. Then the hole busts through the surface.
Can Stage 2 be reversed? No…but the tooth can probably be saved.
Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin
The decay drills through the enamel and hits the soft dentin layer that lies below. This is a serious cavity.
The good news?
The decay hasn’t yet reached the pulp. It will, however, start to cause pain.
Can Stage 3 be reversed? No…but maybe the tooth won’t need a root canal.
Stage 4: Ouch! The Decay Hits the Pulp
Hopefully, your child will never endure stage 4. This is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is extracted.
Remember, childhood cavities are completely preventable.
Can Stage 4 be reversed? No…and it must be treated with a root canal.
Stage 5: Abscess Distress
The tooth decay (and infection) has traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, it drills through the tip. Now the infection is in the tissue and bone surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s extremely painful.
It’s also risky for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.
Can Stage 5 be reversed? No…and it’s life threatening.
At Flax Dental in Atlanta we encourage regular brushing and flossing. Along with regular checkups it’s the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Patients from Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and Dunwoody come to us for restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment today!
Contact Flax Dental:
404-255-9080
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, #430
Atlanta, Georgia
30342
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