Can rotting teeth be saved?

Table of Contents

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is a breakdown of the tooth enamel. It is caused by acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars and starches, the bacteria in dental plaque (a sticky film that forms on your teeth) digest these sugars and starches, making acids as a byproduct. These acids attack tooth enamel over time, resulting in tooth decay.

The most common bacteria that cause tooth decay are Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. There are always some bacteria naturally present in your mouth. Your saliva neutralizes acid, washing away food particles and remineralizing early decay. However, when you consume a lot of sugary or starchy foods and beverages frequently, your mouth remains acidic for long periods, leading to more significant demineralization and eventually cavities.

What factors influence tooth decay?

Several factors can contribute to your risk of getting cavities:

Frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages – Consuming refined carbohydrates and sugars leads to prolonged acid attacks.
Improper oral hygiene – Not brushing and flossing regularly allows plaque to build up.

Dry mouth – Reduced saliva flow removes the natural defense against cavities.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Stomach acid can erode tooth enamel.
Worn fillings or dental work – Breakdowns in restorations expose the inner tooth to bacteria.

Medications – Some prescription medicines reduce saliva.
Eating disorders – Frequent vomiting from conditions like bulimia can erode enamel.
Genetics – Some people may be more susceptible to tooth decay.

Lifestyle factors like diet, oral hygiene practices, and your oral health history play a big role in your risk of cavities. However, some people are simply more prone to tooth decay due to factors outside their control, like tooth anatomy and genetics.

What are the stages of a cavity?

Cavities develop gradually, going through several stages:

Stage 1: The enamel loses minerals, weakening its structure. This initial demineralization shows up as a white spot on your tooth. At this early stage, the process can still be reversed through remineralization.

Stage 2: Enamel breakdown continues, and the cavity moves through the enamel into the second layer of the tooth, the dentin. Since dentin does not contain as much mineral content as enamel, the decay process accelerates.

Stage 3: The cavity works its way through the dentin to reach the inner soft pulp tissue. At this advanced stage, you’ll experience tooth sensitivity and pain. The infection can spread to the root and jawbone if left untreated.

Stage 4: Untreated decay reaches the pulp, causing severe pain and tooth death. The bacteria can then advance to the surrounding gum tissue, other teeth, and bones.

What are the signs and symptoms of a cavity?

Early tooth decay may not produce any noticeable signs. As it progresses through the enamel and into the dentin, you may experience these cavity symptoms:

Tooth pain or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
Pain when chewing

Pits or holes appearing in your teeth
Brown, black, or white spots appearing on your teeth
Bad breath

A bad taste in your mouth
Swelling or pus around your gums or tooth

If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist right away for an evaluation. The sooner decay is detected, the better chance your tooth can be saved.

Can cavities heal themselves?

Early-stage cavities when only the enamel is affected can remineralize through the natural rebuilding process. Your saliva contains minerals like calcium and phosphate that can redeposit on your teeth, reversing the initial demineralization. However, once a cavity penetrates the dentin, it will continue to worsen without professional treatment.

While your tooth may be able to repair itself in the earliest stages, waiting around for this to happen is unwise. A small white spot could quickly become a large cavity requiring a filling or other restoration. Relying on your tooth’s natural healing puts you at risk of developing dangerous infections and experiencing needless pain. It’s best to take a proactive approach and get cavities treated by your dentist right away.

Can I reverse a cavity? What helps heal cavities?

You may be able to stop the progression of a shallow cavity in the enamel through adequate oral hygiene and dietary changes, allowing your teeth to remineralize themselves. Here are some tips to help reverse early decay:

Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once daily to remove plaque from between teeth.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash to kill cavity-causing bacteria.

Cut down on snacking between meals.
Reduce your intake of refined carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Chew sugar-free gum with xylitol to increase saliva flow.

Eat more cheese, milk, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables.
Drink water instead of sugary beverages.
Get regular dental cleanings and exams.

For more advanced decay, your dentist may recommend remineralizing treatments like fluoride varnish, prescription strength fluoride toothpaste, or remineralizing gels. However, once a cavity reaches the inner layers of the tooth, a filling or crown is required to restore structure and function. While you may be able to halt further progression, the damaged tooth cannot heal on its own at that point.

What are the treatment options?

The type of treatment your dentist recommends will depend on the location and extent of decay. Here are some common options for treating cavities:

Fluoride and remineralization – As mentioned, early lesions may be reversed through fluoride and improved oral hygiene. Your dentist can apply in-office treatments to help strengthen your enamel.

Fillings – Once a cavity has moved beyond the enamel, a filling is needed to remove decay and fill the hole in the tooth structure. Composite resin and amalgam are common direct filling materials.

Crowns – When a cavity is very large, a dental crown may be placed. The remaining tooth is shaped and a crown is put over it to restore form and function.

Root canal – If the pulp tissue becomes infected, you may need a root canal to remove the nerve and blood vessels, then seal up the root.

Tooth extraction – In cases of untreatable decay, the tooth may need to be removed to prevent the infection from spreading.

Antibiotics – Your dentist may prescribe antibiotics to clear any associated bacterial infection before starting repairs.

Talk to your dentist about which of these treatments is appropriate for your situation. Even severely decayed teeth can often be restored with modern techniques.

What is the best diet to prevent cavities?

The most important dietary changes for preventing cavities involve limiting sugary foods that feed the bacteria, and eating tooth-strengthening foods. Follow these diet tips:

Restrict sweets like candy, cookies, sodas, and fruit juices.
Limit starchy refined carbs like white bread, pasta, chips, and crackers.

Avoid frequent snacking, which keeps your mouth in an acidic state.
Drink mostly water between meals and brush after eating or drinking.
Consume xylitol-sweetened gums or mints to stimulate saliva.

Eat foods high in calcium like yogurt, milk, and cheese.
Include lots of crunchy fruits and vegetables.
Drink green or black tea, which contain natural fluoride.

Focus on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and healthy dairy for cavity prevention. Stay hydrated and limit sugary, starchy foods to mealtimes only.

What home remedies help cavities?

Alongside professional dental treatment, you can try these natural remedies to support your oral health:

Oil pulling – Swish coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and food debris.

Green tea – The antioxidants in green tea may inhibit cavity-causing bacteria.
Aloe vera – Use aloe vera tooth gels or juices to coat your teeth.
Garlic – Chewing raw garlic releases antibacterial compounds.

Cloves – Cloves have pain-relieving and antibacterial effects.
Eating pineapple – Pineapple contains bromelain, which may have anti-inflammatory abilities.

Research shows green tea, aloe vera, cloves, and garlic have potential to suppress cavity-causing bacteria. While more studies are needed, they may provide a beneficial boost alongside dental treatment.

Are there any risks with leaving a cavity untreated?

Leaving a cavity untreated is a very bad idea. As decay advances, you’ll likely experience significant tooth pain and sensitivity. More importantly, it can lead to serious oral health problems like:

Tooth infections – Bacteria enter the tooth’s inner pulp, spreading infection to surrounding tissues.
Dental abscesses – Infection pockets filled with pus can form at the tooth’s root.

Tooth loss – Severe decay will destroy the tooth structure, requiring extraction.
Bone loss – Untreated infections erode the jawbone supporting your teeth.
Systemic illness – Bacteria entering your bloodstream can cause disease elsewhere in the body.

In rare cases, infections originating from cavities that reach the brain have even resulted in death. Seeking prompt treatment is critical, as small dental problems can quickly escalate.

When should I see a dentist?

You should see your dentist as soon as you notice any signs of tooth decay, like spots on your teeth or sensitivity. The earlier cavities are detected, the better the chance of reversing or treating them simply and painlessly. Children should start getting evaluated around their first tooth eruption or first birthday.

From there, visit your dentist according to these general guidelines:

Children – Every 6 months
Teens – Every 6 months
Adults – Annually or as recommended by your dentist

Seniors – Annually or as recommended

See your dentist right away if you experience mouth pain, swelling, injuries, or any other concerning dental symptoms. Staying on top of your oral health with regular dental exams allows issues to be caught early before they become bigger problems. Don’t wait around if you notice signs of tooth decay.

Are dental issues always painful?

Not necessarily. While many dental problems ultimately become painful if left untreated, some can go unnoticed for some time, including:

Early tooth decay – The first stages of cavities in the enamel may not be painful.
Gum disease – Early gingivitis is often symptomless.
Oral cancer – Cancers may be painless in their initial stages.

Cracked teeth – You may not have pain until the crack significantly worsens.
Impacted teeth – Wisdom teeth often get impacted without noticeable symptoms.

Since you can’t rely on pain alone, it’s critical to have regular dental exams and cleanings even when nothing seems wrong. Your dentist will check for issues that haven’t become problematic yet. Don’t assume your mouth is healthy simply because it doesn’t hurt. Stay vigilant about appointments.

What are signs I may lose a tooth?

Here are some warning signs that a tooth may need to be extracted if problems persist:

Deep decay – When cavities reach the inner pulp, the tooth will likely die.
Advanced gum disease – Severe attachment and bone loss can lead to tooth loss.

Chronic infections – Repeated abscesses may indicate the tooth cannot be saved.
Fractures – Cracked teeth often eventually require extraction.
Injury – Knocked-out, displaced, or broken teeth may not be salvageable.

Pain – If you have persistent throbbing pain, the tooth may require removal.
Orthodontic reasons – Teeth are sometimes extracted to make room.

However, modern dentistry can go to great lengths to save natural teeth. Root canals, gum treatments, crowns, and dental implants allow even severely compromised teeth to often be restored. Still, it’s wise not to take your teeth for granted or ignore these warning signs. See your dentist promptly if you notice them.

Can cavities lead to other health issues?

Yes, untreated cavities can potentially lead to a number of health concerns:

Heart disease – Oral bacteria entering the bloodstream can inflame blood vessels and lead to arterial plaque.

Pregnancy complications – High levels of tooth-decay bacteria are linked to preterm labor and low birth weight.

Diabetes – Gum infections appear to raise resistance to insulin and blood sugar control.

Pneumonia – Bacteria inhaled from diseased teeth can take up residence in the lungs.

Osteoporosis – Tooth loss and bone destruction in the jaws are associated with lower bone density overall.

Kidney disease – Periodontal disease may cause higher levels of inflammation markers tied to kidney disease progression.

While researchers are still studying the mechanisms, addressing cavities and other oral infections is wise for your overall well-being. Your mouth’s health impacts your whole body.

Conclusion

Tooth decay is a gradual process that begins in the enamel and progresses inward if not treated. While remineralization and improved oral hygiene can reverse shallow lesions, deeper cavities require professional intervention. Allowing decay to continue leads to pulp infections, tooth loss, and the spread of bacteria linked to multiple systemic diseases. See your dentist immediately at the first sign of dental caries for early detection and prevention. With proactive care, even severely damaged teeth can often be saved and restored.