Many people fail to acknowledge a cavity until it starts causing pain. This also makes them question, “If a cavity hurts, is it too late?” Pain doesn’t always mean something is beyond repair. You can still get it checked and receive the right treatment.
When Is It Too Late to Reverse a Cavity?
The pulp, which has nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues, can cause serious pain and abscesses if it gets infected. Once the pulp is infected, it’s usually too late to heal the cavity naturally. However, Dr. Kirolls Ibrahim of Céline Dental can still perform a root canal to clean out the infected pulp. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Cavity’s Progression
To find out the answer to whether a cavity hurts is too late; we must understand how a cavity grows. Dental cavities damage a tooth’s layers over time.
This process occurs in five stages:
- Demineralization: In the early stage, small white spots appear on the tooth’s surface due to mineral loss caused by acids from plaque bacteria.
- Enamel Decay: If untreated, the decay worsens, weakening the enamel. As the enamel breaks down, the white spots turn brownish, and cavities become more visible.
- Dentin Decay: Dentin, the softer layer beneath the enamel, is more vulnerable to decay. When bacteria reach this layer, the cavities spread faster, creating dark brown spots on the teeth.
- Pulp Damage: When decay reaches the pulp, the innermost part of the tooth with nerves and blood vessels, it causes symptoms like throbbing tooth pain, swollen gums, and black spots on the teeth.
- Abscessed Tooth: If a deep cavity is left untreated, it can lead to an infection, forming a pus-filled abscess. This causes severe pain that may spread to the jaw, along with swollen gums and lymph nodes. The infection can spread to nearby tissues and other body parts if not treated.
How Do You Know If a Cavity Has Reached the Nerve?
The tooth pulp is the deepest part of your tooth, containing nerves and blood vessels that provide nutrients to keep the tooth healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, When a cavity reaches the pulp, it can cause pain. You might also notice redness and swelling in the gums around the tooth, and the spots on the tooth may turn dark brown or black.
Treatment Options That Work When a Cavity Hurts
You can catch cavities early by having regular dental checkups. Treating a cavity before it worsens helps you avoid complicated treatments. The type of treatment depends on how severe the cavity is. Common treatments include:
- Fluoride Treatments: These are used in the early stages to help repair the tooth enamel.
- Fillings: They are used where decayed part of the tooth is removed and filled with materials like composite resin, silver amalgam, porcelain, or gold.
- Root Canal Therapy: A root canal may be needed if the cavity has damaged the tooth pulp. The dentist removes the infected pulp and fills the tooth. This treatment helps save the tooth instead of removing it.
- Dental Crowns: For larger decay or after a root canal, a crown is placed over the tooth to restore its shape, strength, and function. Crowns can be made from porcelain fused with metal, zirconia, all-porcelain, or gold.
- Extractions: In cases where the tooth is too damaged to be saved, it may need to be removed. After extraction, the gap can affect chewing, speech, and appearance. The nearby teeth may also shift, causing misalignment. Your dentist might recommend a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth.
Wrapping Up
Our enamel is strong and not acknowledged as a living tissue. Therefore, even if it gets damaged, you don’t feel a thing until the decay reaches the dentin. If you feel a sudden pain, you might wonder, “If a cavity hurts, is it too late?” It isn’t unless you keep delaying it.
Visit your caring neighborhood dentist, Dr. Kirolls Ibrahim, at Céline Dental Cosmetic Dentistry and Orthodontics. Our doctor has over 15 years of experience in general dentistry. Call us at (281) 262-2332 to book an appointment.