If a cavity doesn't hurt, is it better not to treat it?

Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
Updated on November 21, 2024
00:00
00:00

Cavities are primarily caused by poor oral hygiene and the effects of bacteria in the mouth, among other factors, leading to chronic progressive destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth. Generally, the progression is slow, initially appearing as yellowish-brown spots or defects on the tooth surface without causing any pain symptoms, making the treatment fairly straightforward—simply removing the decay and filling it can often be completed in one session. However, many cavities are not treated during this optimal period and progress to the dentin, causing sensitivity to hot and cold and leading to toothache. If not treated promptly, the cavity will enlarge, and in severe cases, lead to pulp infection, causing spontaneous pain, episodic pain, and pain from temperature stimuli. At this stage, the treatment becomes more complex and painful, requiring root canal therapy, typically needing three to four follow-up visits, and thus, costing more than a simple one-time treatment. If the condition is not controlled, it may develop into apical periodontitis or apical abscess, leading to space infections. The treatment then becomes even more complicated and painful, requiring incision and drainage, along with systemic anti-inflammatory treatment. If the tooth is severely damaged, the remaining roots and crowns can become a focal point for bacterial infection, potentially inducing other diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to detect and treat cavities early—the smaller the cavity, the better the treatment outcome, also saving time and money.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
1min home-news-image

How to perform pulp drainage for dental caries?

Pulpotomy and drainage for caries involve a treatment method for acute pulpitis or apical periodontitis caused by infected dental nerves. Teeth are composed of enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp tissue. The pulp tissue, also known as the dental nerve, is located within the innermost part of the tooth, surrounded by the hard layers of dentin and cementum. Therefore, once the dental nerve becomes inflamed, the pressure within the pulp chamber rapidly increases. To alleviate the pain, it is necessary to release this pressure, namely by performing a pulpotomy and drainage. This can be done by drilling to remove some of the infected dental tissues, and then opening up the pulp chamber to relieve the pressure, significantly reducing the pain. If the dental nerve is completely purulent and necrotic, the top of the pulp chamber can be removed, followed by thorough pulpotomy and drainage.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
42sec home-news-image

Should a baby's decayed front teeth be filled?

Children's front teeth cavities require filling treatment, because if the front teeth are extensively damaged, it not only affects eating and appearance but also impacts the child's psychological development. Therefore, if a child's tooth color is abnormal, it is advisable to visit a hospital for fluoride treatment as soon as possible, which is beneficial for mineralization on the tooth surface. However, if cavities have developed in the front teeth, filling treatment is needed, otherwise it will progressively worsen, affecting the child's normal eating habits. Generally, children under three years of age have poor cooperation and cannot undergo routine outpatient treatment, so it is crucial to strengthen oral hygiene care in daily life.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
48sec home-news-image

How to treat a cavity that has decayed to the root of the tooth?

For a tooth decayed to the root, it is first necessary to take an X-ray of the tooth. If the X-ray shows that the root still has some salvage value, the tooth can be preserved through root canal treatment after controlling the inflammation. If the decay has reached the tip of the root and the root has no salvage value, the tooth needs to be extracted soon after controlling the inflammation. After the tooth is extracted, it is necessary to get a dental prosthesis as soon as possible depending on the condition of the tooth. If the prosthesis is not done in time, the tooth above may elongate, and the teeth on either side may tilt towards the gap, potentially leading to the loss of space over time.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
54sec home-news-image

The concept of dental caries

Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, are caused by bacterial infection that damages the hard tissues of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is essential to intervene with dental treatment as soon as possible. Strictly speaking, cavities represent a bacterial infection caused by the failure to remove food residues timely after eating. Bacteria break down glucose, producing lactic acid, which causes demineralization of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is crucial to undergo dental filling treatment promptly, commonly referred to as dental restoration. If the progression of decay is not promptly halted, it can lead to further complications over time, including pulpitis which causes toothache or night pain, pain during sleep intense enough to wake one from sleep, and in severe cases, facial swelling.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
51sec home-news-image

How to treat children with dental caries?

To treat cavities in children, first, the extent of tooth decay needs to be assessed. If the decay is mild, the decayed part can be removed and directly filled. If the decay is severe enough to inflame the dental nerve, an X-ray of the tooth is required. If it is a deciduous tooth that is about to fall out soon and is not worth saving, treatment might be unnecessary. However, if the tooth root has not been absorbed and the permanent tooth will take a long time to erupt, root canal treatment can be considered. In cases where a young permanent molar is decayed and the nerve is infected, a vital pulpotomy should be performed to preserve the living pulp and promote further development of the tooth root.