Toothy Troubles Could Be Cavities

Cavities occur when bacteria build up on the teeth and combine with food particles to form plaque. If your dental hygiene is poor, the plaque starts to eat through the tooth enamel and cause decay.

Tooth decay pain may manifest as tooth sensitivity, tooth pain when biting, or tooth pain that persists even when you aren’t eating or drinking. If the decay reaches the nerves that make up the tooth pulp, pain and sensitivity may get worse.

See a dental specialist if you have persistent tooth pain. Options for treating tooth decay depend on how severe it is, and they include:

• Fluoride treatments: If the decay isn’t severe, fluoride treatments can help the tooth repair itself and reduce the risk of future tooth decay.
• Fillings or crowns: Fillings or crowns can replace decayed areas of the tooth if the pulp is intact.
• Root canals: This procedure replaces the pulp of the tooth with a filling.
• Tooth extraction: In cases of severe decay, the tooth may need to be removed and replaced.

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