Many people deal with tooth decay. It is damage that happens to the teeth, which can result in abscesses, cavities, or tooth loss. The culprit is a type of bacteria that can live in dental plaque. This bacteria can convert the sugars in food into acids. If plaque builds up over time, the acids can damage the teeth.
However, before tooth decay eventually occurs, there are stages to it. In this blog, we have highlighted and discussed these stages. And be sure to read our article on how to prevent tooth decay from occurring. Kindly scroll down and continue reading to learn more. At Tooth Doc Dental, we are the best Pediatric Dentist in Herndon, VA.
The Five Stages
Below are the five stages of tooth decay:
1. Demineralization
In this first stage of tooth decay, you may see a white spot on your tooth. That area is a result of minerals. The outer layer of the teeth composes of a type of tissue called enamel, the hardest tissue in the body. Enamel is mostly composed of minerals.
As a tooth is exposed to the acids made by the bacteria, the enamel starts to lose its minerals, causing white spots to appear in places of mineral loss.
2. Decay of the Enamel
If the process of tooth decay persists, the enamel will break down. In this stage of tooth decay, you may notice white spots on your teeth darkened to a brownish colour. Small holes in your teeth, called dental caries or cavities, can form as the enamel weakens. Dental caries will need to be filled. Be sure to visit our dentist for some filling.
3. Dentin Decay
Dentin is a tissue. It is found under the enamel. This tissue isn’t as strong as the enamel, causing it to be more sensitive to the damage from acids produced by play bacteria. Due to this, tooth decay proceeds faster when it gets to the dentin.
When your dentin experiences tooth decay, you may start to experience sensitivity, especially when having a cold or hot drinks or foods. This sensitivity is due to the tubes that lead to the tooth's nerve.
4. Damage to the Pulp
This part is the innermost layer of the tooth. It contains the blood vessels and nerves that help to keep your tooth healthy. These nerves provide sensation to the tooth. When the pulp is damaged, it may start to swell from irritation. When this swelling occurs, the surrounding tissues will not be able to avoid the swelling, which would cause pressure on the nerves, resulting in pain.
5. Abscess
As tooth decay persists, bacteria can get in and cause infection. When the tooth is very inflamed, it can result in pus forming at the bottom of your tooth. This pocket of pus is called an abscess. This can cause excruciating pain that may radiate into the jaw. When this happens, it may cause swollen jaw, face, lymph nodes, and gums. Patients may also get a fever. Treatment at this point may include the removal of the affected tooth.
At Tooth Doc Dental, you can trust us with your oral and dental health as we are one of the best family dentists in Herndon, VA.
