A cavity can take anywhere from six months to five years to develop before it requires treatment. The wide range here is influenced by the conditions in a person's mouth, including their hygiene, diet, and genetic factors. The area where the cavity is forming can also influence the rate at which it develops.
Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it's going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth.
Cavities don't just form overnight; in reality, it can take a few months or even a year before the tooth decay advances to a point where the cavity will need attention. Therefore it's essential to schedule a dental and oral examination every six months.
One week without brushing:
As soon as a week goes by, your teeth' enamel will start to break down. The plaque that hasn't been removed will make it easy for bad breath to grow. A dirty tooth will make it hard to clean. You will have a greater chance of getting cavities if you don't brush your teeth for a week.
Dentists may fill as many cavities as the patient is comfortable with having filled. With this being said, in most cases, dentists do not recommend having more than 3 cavities filled in one sitting. Your mouth needs time to heal.
People who require multiple fillings often ask how many tooth fillings can be done at once. Technically, there is no limit to the number of filling you can get in one session. However, dentists do not recommend having more than three fillings at a time.
If a Cavity Hurts, Is it too Late for Brushing to Save It? If you're wondering if it's too late for brushing to save your tooth, the answer is yes. Once you have a cavity, whether it has started hurting or not, beginning a healthy oral care routine won't save you from visiting your Wilmington dentist.
For all the good brushing does, it will not eliminate the cavity. The bottom line is you do not have the power to stop your cavity from growing. Your cavity will gradually expand to the point that it moves into the pulp chamber and spurs pain. If the cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth, it will require a root canal.
In most cases, by the time you notice the symptoms of tooth decay, it will be too late to reverse the damage with natural methods. You will need to consult your dentist to prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of the tooth.
Diet – Tooth decay can often be caused by what we eat and drink. If you don't typically brush your teeth right after every meal you can cause some damage. Sugar can remain on the teeth, between them, and around your gumline as well. This can become a feeding ground or bacteria.
Noticing a cavity for the first time isn't a dental emergency, but sometimes a cavity does warrant immediate attention from your dentist. If the pain is so severe that you can't wait for a regularly scheduled appointment, it may be a dental emergency.
If you see pus near a tooth or teeth, your cavity has gone too far. It's become an abscess that needs to be handled right away. Abscesses are very painful and cause fevers and swollen glands. Pus will routinely collect and drain from the abscess, causing great pain.
You may need to have a tooth extracted if: Periodontal disease has badly infected the tooth. The tooth is badly damaged and cannot be restored by a filling or a crown. You are suffering from pain even after a filling, crown, or treatment for a root canal.
As far as statistics for the average number of cavities, the number varies across different age groups. In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth.
Brushing is essential to preventing your cavity from worsening. Brushing will also help prevent the formation of even more cavities. Zero in on the cavity as you brush to eliminate any remaining food particles from your snack or meal. This thorough brushing can help hinder the cavity's progression.
However, cavities require immediate attention when they arise. Tooth decay should not be allowed to go untreated for long periods of time. Minor cavities can grow into serious problems that result in permanent tooth damage in less than 3 months.
Once bacteria have entered your tooth, it may be too late for a filling because we will need to prevent or treat an existing infection. However, it's never too late for dental care!
It can damage your tooth enamel.
You can break this coating by picking your teeth. This is hazardous because you are making your tooth weaker and cause it to be more susceptible to tooth decay. These are 5 very important reasons why you should stop picking your teeth immediately.
If a tooth has more than three fillings, there is a greater risk of the tooth breaking or developing problems with the nerves and blood vessels inside the tooth. Therefore, it is important to consult with a dentist near you before having more than three fillings placed in a single tooth.
A Diet High In Sugary And Starchy Foods And Sugary Drinks
Sugary and starchy snacks contribute to decay, and sugary drinks like cola, sweet tea, energy drinks, and sports drinks are even worse. Maintain a balanced diet and avoid sugary drinks to reduce your risk of cavities.
Though good oral hygiene that includes brushing and flossing helps in preventing cavities, you may still get cavities. The reasons can be many, like the spaces between teeth that easily trap food, consuming too much cavity-causing foods and beverages, avoiding regular professional-level cleanings and checkups, etc.