What is the reason for black dental caries?

Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

Updated on March 05, 2025

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Cavity prevalence is quite high, especially in children who haven't developed good oral hygiene habits and consume a lot of sweets, making them prone to cavities. Early detection is thus very important. Early symptoms of cavities are not obvious, but with careful observation, one can notice parts of the teeth turning black. This is due to bacterial erosion and damage to the teeth. Damage occurs to the enamel and dentin of the teeth. If this continues to develop, it can lead to damage to the dental pulp, resulting in pulpitis. Therefore, when you notice your teeth turning black, it is crucial to seek timely treatment to prevent the progression to pulpitis.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

40sec

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Is it normal to have pain after filling a cavity?

Mild pain after filling a cavity is normal. This is often seen when glass ionomer materials are used for fillings. Glass ionomer materials expand in volume within 24 hours of mixing, which can stimulate the dental nerves and cause pain. However, the pain should gradually decrease or disappear after 24 hours. If there is severe pain after the filling, it may be due to the filling material being too high or the tooth decay being too deep, reaching the dental nerves and causing nerve pain. This situation is abnormal and requires root canal treatment.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

56sec

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What to do if you have tooth decay and swollen, painful gums?

When patients experience dental caries and swollen, painful gums, it is advised that they seek medical attention promptly. They may take some anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to relieve inflammation and pain. After the inflammation has completely subsided, treatment should be based on the extent of damage to the dental caries. If the damage to the dental caries is minor, conservative treatment may be sufficient. However, if the damage is severe, it may affect part of the tooth structure or even the entire tooth and root, possibly leading to cavitation. In such cases, it is recommended that patients consider tooth extraction or filling as remedial measures. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene and develop correct tooth brushing habits. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Fang Xiao

Dentistry

1min 10sec

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Will cavities improve after changing teeth?

Cavities in baby teeth can heal when they are replaced by permanent teeth, but cavities in baby teeth still need to be treated. Because the decay can deepen, leading to premature loss of the tooth, which can affect the development of the permanent teeth. Severe cavities can lead to abnormal development of the permanent teeth, and even after the child's teeth are replaced, the new teeth may not be in good condition. For example, if the root of a baby tooth becomes inflamed and the inflammation is not treated and cleared, the alveolar bone around the tooth root can also become inflamed. Below the alveolar bone is the germ of the new tooth, and prolonged inflammatory stimulation can affect the germ of the permanent tooth. Additionally, premature loss of baby teeth can lead to the loss of adjacency between teeth, which can affect the growth and development of permanent teeth. Therefore, it is important to detect and treat cavities in baby teeth early, and ideally perform pit and fissure sealants before cavities form.

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Written by Li Cui

Dentistry

1min 7sec

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Can tooth decay pain be relieved with Sichuan pepper?

If a patient has dental caries and is experiencing considerable pain, and there are no medications available nearby, they can temporarily use Sichuan peppercorns for pain relief. This is because certain components within Sichuan peppercorns can alleviate some of the pain, although they do not treat the dental caries directly. Thus, it is recommended that if a patient is suffering from toothache due to dental caries, they should seek timely treatment at a hospital. The specific treatment plan should be based on the extent of damage caused by the dental caries. If the damage is minor, the tooth generally does not require special treatment; however, if the dental caries are severe and have damaged the tooth structure, root, or even the dental nerves or gum tissue, it is advisable for the patient to consider tooth extraction followed by a dental restoration. The specific recommendations should still be based on a doctor’s diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan should be established.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

46sec

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How to brush teeth with cavities

Cavities are a disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth, belonging to a type of self-destructive and infectious disease, and cavities need to be treated in a timely manner. When brushing teeth with cavities, it is especially important to brush thoroughly. Fluoride toothpaste can be used to clean each surface of the teeth, including the occlusal, buccal, lingual, and the insides of the teeth. Sometimes it is difficult for the bristles to reach the inside of the teeth, in which case an interdental brush or dental floss can be used to clean these areas to prevent the occurrence of cavities inside the teeth. Besides brushing, it is also necessary to fill the teeth promptly, also known as dental filling.