Did you feel a sudden pain in your teeth when sipping a pina colada or relishing smoky, hot chips? If yes, then you are experiencing a tooth cavity, unfortunately. This dental problem usually stems from poor oral hygiene and consuming sugary foods.
Statistics show that this problem is prevalent in Australia, with ⅓ of adults facing tooth decay in their lives. The widespread presence of this dental problem raises many questions in the minds of individuals who are cautious about their oral health.
What are the underlying reasons for tooth decay or cavities? In case someone gets a dental cavity, what are the treatment options? If you want comprehensive answers to all these questions, don’t leave this space. This blog lays out the essential details associated with this topic to help readers like you make informed decisions when it comes to treating cavities.
What is a tooth cavity?
A tooth cavity, also known as a dental cavity, refers to the damaged area on the outer surface of teeth that turns into tiny holes or openings with time. The presence of cavities is often indicated by sharp pain in teeth, persistent bad breath, or tooth staining. It is a prevalent problem among people of all ages, babies, adults, & older adults. The extent of damage caused by cavities in teeth varies with the tooth location and the level of negligence shown in maintaining a proper oral care routine.
In terms of location, decay in molar teeth cavities is common due to their ability to retain food particles for long, compared to front teeth.
How does a Cavity Occur?
The dental cavity development process can be divided into four phases:
Types and phases :
- – Plaque Formation
- – Acid Production
- – Enamel Demineralisation
- – Cavity Formation
1- Plaque Formation:
This is the initial phase in cavity development & usually takes place when mouth bacteria are fed by the consumption of high sugar food. The grown bacteria form a colorless sticky layer on the teeth, known as dental plaque.
2- Acid Production:
The dental plaque contains bacteria that react with sugars present in the food to form acids. These acids then attack the minerals in the enamel, which undermines the dental enamel.
3- Enamel Demineralisation:
When the dental enamel is damaged, it becomes vulnerable to demineralisation. Frequent acid attacks due to consuming sugary food weaken the enamel. During the demineralisation process, white spots begin to appear on the tooth surface.
4- Cavity Formation:
If the demineralisation takes place for an extended duration, the enamel breaks down, which creates tiny holes in the dentin. The decay then spreads deeper into the pulp & interferes with the blood vessels and nerves, causing pain or infection.
What are the common symptoms of an early-stage cavity?
Since cavities in teeth develop gradually with time, their signs often go unnoticed in the early stages. However, as the decay progresses, the patient experiences one or all of the symptoms stated below:
1- Tooth Sensitivity:
Sharp ache or discomfort while consuming hot, cold, or sweet drinks or food.
2- Toothache:
Continuous pain or discomfort, especially while chewing hard food.
3- Persistent Bad Breath:
Bad odor may be produced by the bacterial build-up within the decayed areas of teeth.
4- Visibility of Marks:
Appearance of black, brown, or yellow stains on front teeth or molars.
Major Causes of Cavities in Children & Adults
Dental cavity stems from many reasons that are usually correlated with a reckless lifestyle and poor oral hygiene habits. Let us take a look at the most common causes.
Causes of Cavities
– Plaque buildup and poor brushing technique
– High sugar intake and frequent snacking
– Dry mouth and lack of fluoride
– Genetic factors and enamel weakness
Plaque Buildup & Poor Brushing Technique:
Plaque buildup is one of the common causes of tooth cavities. It usually occurs due to inadequate and improper brushing techniques. When the brush fails to reach molars and back teeth, food particles start to accumulate, which leads to bacterial buildup. With the passage of time, the bacterial buildup forms plaque, eroding teeth and irritating gums, which leads to decayed teeth.
High Sugar Intake & Frequent Snacking:
People love to snack on sugary foods such as chocolate bars, cookies, and soft drinks. While moderate consumption is safe, getting into the habit of munching processed foods runs the risk of tooth decay. Frequent snacking exposes the teeth to acid attacks and gives the teeth little time to remineralize, triggering the process of plaque buildup. The formation of plaque buildup may spiral into dental decay when left untreated.
Dry Mouth and Lack Of Fluoride:
Though enough attention is not paid to these factors, Dry mouth and Lack of fluoride may be considered as precursors to tooth decay. Saliva plays an important role in washing away food particles, and this process neutralises acids, which helps prevent plaque buildup.
When the mouth remains dry for long periods, a sticky layer is created as a result of a lack of saliva, which then provides ground for tooth decay. Likewise, paucity of fluoride undermines the enamel and reduces its ability to block acid attacks. Lack of fluoride is often associated with using toothpaste that contains a lower fluoride concentration than the recommended level, and triggers the process of dental decay.
Genetic factors and enamel Weakness:
It is often seen that some people have naturally thinner or weaker enamel, which makes their teeth susceptible to acid erosion and bacterial attack. Certain inherited conditions also raise the likelihood of a higher risk of cavities, despite following a good oral hygiene routine. People with a family history of dental issues are advised to exercise extra care to preserve their teeth from dental cavities.
Why Children Are More Vulnerable to Tooth Decay?
Children, in particular, may be more susceptible to developing molar tooth cavities due to a combination of biological, behavioural, and dietary factors. During the underage period, their tooth enamel has lower resistance against bacterial and acid attacks, which supports plaque promotion. Parallel to weak dentine structure, inconsistent and improper brushing habits trigger bacterial buildup that can contribute to decay.
Children have a habit of eating sugary foods( chocolates, candies), juices, and processed foods. Their over-consumption can aggravate the situation, causing the food particles to stick to the dentine, and this process ultimately leads to tooth decay.
How do Dentists diagnose a Cavity?
Cavities are a dental concern that requires visiting a clinic and seeing a dentist for proper treatment. The dentist follows a thorough clinical approach for diagnosis and treatment. Let us break down the diagnosis procedure a dentist follows to treat a patient with cavities in Australia:
1- Visual Examination:
Initially, the dentist examines the teeth with the naked eye or using a dental mirror to detect the early signs of decay.
2- X-Ray Application:
In special cases where cavities go unnoticed during visual inspection, the dentist turns to Dental X-rays for accurate diagnosis. The usage of Dental X-rays enables the dentist to uncover cavities that lie between teeth or beneath the enamel.
Disclaimer:
A medically safe and precise diagnosis of tooth decay can be performed by a registered dentist who follows a clinical procedure that is in line with the APHRA guidelines.
Treatment Options For Cavities
In Australia, there are several types of treatments available to treat cavities. Let us take a look:
1- Dental Fillings:
When it comes to fixing cavities, dental fillings are recommended as one of the effective treatment options available. In this process, the dentist starts off by removing the decayed part of the tooth, and then conducts a deep cleaning of that area. Thereafter, the dentist seals the area with a durable filling material— called sealant.
This whole process may help in restoring the tooth’s shape, function( including chewing ability), and strength; the sealant acts as a guard against future tooth cavities.
It is, however, important to note that dental fillings also call for maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine to remain intact and functional. Lack of proper care can lead to wearing down or chipping away the filling, and if it happens, you need to visit the dentist again for a refilling procedure.
2- Root Canal Therapy:
When the initial level of decay is ignored, it advances beyond the enamel and dentin, reaching the tooth’s pulp, where the inner nerves and blood vessels are present. Deep decay may cause severe pain and infection, and lead to the formation of a cyst.
To treat this level of decay, root canal therapy is a recommended treatment option, in which the dentist eliminates the infected pulp tissue, cleans and disinfects the inner canals. After performing these steps, the cleaned area is then sealed with a biocompatible filling material such as gutta-percha. Finally, a dental crown is affixed to the sealed area, which strengthens the tooth and restores its normal functioning.
3- Tooth Extraction:
At times, the decay severely damages the tooth structure; as a result, filling, crown, and root canal therapy lose their efficacy as a treatment option. In such a situation, tooth extraction is considered a last resort treatment to treat cavities.
This procedure is performed to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding teeth, gums, or bone. During the tooth extraction process, the dentist uses a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort and minimize pain, as it often causes discomfort.
Post the extraction phase, provision of aftercare is ensured to support proper healing and reduce the risk of infection. In the next step, the dentist proposes replacement options such as dental implants, dentures, or bridges, depending upon the location and function of the removed teeth.
**Are you interested in learning about dentures? Read our informative blog on the topic, “ partial dentures in Australia.”**
Cost Of Treating Tooth Cavities in Australia
The cost of treating cavities in teeth depends on the type of treatment, the experience of the dentist, and the location of the clinic. Right now, we will omit all the other fine-grained details and direct our focus on the cost of treatment with respect to the treatment type.
1- Dental Fillings:
— 1.1- When the cavity is small, the cost ranges between AUD $150—$300.
— 1.2- Incase cavity is large and complex, the cost falls in the range of AUD $ 300— $500.
2- Root Canal Therapy:
Root Canal treatment—excluding crown— comes with a hefty price tag, which ranges between AUD $900— $ 3400. When the cost of the crown is added, the overall sum jumps by AUD $1200— $2,500.
3- Tooth Extraction:
The cost of the simple extraction of a decayed tooth is around $150 to $400 per tooth. In complex cases, the cost of uprooting the tooth with cavities may exceed AUD $1000.
| Treatment Type | Procedure Details | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
| Dental Fillings | Small cavity (simple filling) | $150 – $300 |
| Large or complex cavity | $300 – $500 | |
| Root Canal Therapy | Root canal treatment (excluding crown) | $900 – $3,400 |
| Dental crown (additional, if required) | $1,200 – $2,500 | |
| Tooth Extraction | Simple extraction of a decayed tooth | $150 – $400 |
| Surgical or complex extraction | $250 – $600+ |
Tips To Prevent Dental Decay in Adults & Children:
- Daily Brushing With Fluoride Toothpaste.
- Undergo a routine dental checkup.
- Cutting down on the amount of sugary foods and limiting snacking frequency.
- Using Fluoride varnish and dental sealants.
Final Words
If you are suffering from a tooth cavity and want to treat it seriously, getting expert assistance is non-negotiable. In Melbourne, Australia, Ezy Dental is a renowned dental clinic, equipped with advanced technologies and apparatus, along with a patient-centric calming environment. Our dentists utilize their expertise to properly diagnose the extent of the dental cavity, followed by proposing the most suitable treatment and post-treatment tips. So, book a slot with us today and let us transform your decayed tooth into a functional and visually appealing grinding machine.