Did you know there are five distinct stages of tooth decay? And, that in the first stage of decay, you can actually take steps to reverse the progression of the disease? It's true! In the first stage of decay, whether you are a child or an adult, the application of fluoride via fluoride treatments, your toothpaste and even the local water supply can stop a cavity from penetrating through the enamel and reaching its second stage. Even the saliva in your mouth and the foods you eat can help to re-mineralize a tooth in jeopardy. But that’s just the first stage! What about the rest? Understanding how a cavity progresses can assist you in preventing each successive stage from occurring.
Stage One: White Spots
In stage one, the tooth begins to show signs of strain from the attack of sugars and acids, and white spots will begin to materialize just below the surface of the enamel. These white spots are representative of the demineralization of the tooth. A dental exam, of course, is designed to catch such cavities! That's why regular visits to the dentist are recommended. As mentioned previously the cavity at this stage can be repaired without the need to place a filling.
Stage Two: Enamel Decay
Stage two marks the beginning of the end for the surface enamel that is being attacked. Initially, the tooth erodes from the underside outward, so the outer enamel will still be intact for the first half of this second stage. Once the cavity breaks through the surface of the enamel, there is no turning back. The cavity will have to be corrected with a filling.
Stage Three: Dentin Decay
If a cavity were to progress beyond stage two without you knowing it, chances are you would have some degree of sensitivity when it starts to hit stage three. At this level, the cavity begins to eat away at the second level of tooth material that lies beneath the enamel: the dentin. A filling will be used to stop the progression of bacteria and prevent the cavity from reaching the tooth’s most critical component: the pulp.
Stage Four: Involvement of The Pulp
Once the cavity reaches the pulp, it’s going to hurt. Stage four is serious, and a root canal is the only option of treatment at this stage, save for a complete extraction.
Stage Five: Abscess Formation
In the fifth and final stage of a cavity, the infection has reached the tip of the root and exited the tip of the tooth’s structure. This in turn infects the surrounding tissues and the bone structure. Swelling would be commonplace and you would experience more severe pain. A root canal or extraction would be required.
As you can see, cavities don’t happen overnight. In the early stages, regular visits can stall and reverse the progression. It really does pay to visit the dentist for an examination and x-rays!
