What Happens If A Decayed Tooth is Not Extracted?
Decayed teeth are caused by acids formed by bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria turn food, especially sugar and starch, into acids. The acid, food particles and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque. Plaque sticks to the teeth and is most common on the back molars, just above the gum line and around the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth turns into a substance called tartar or calculus. Tartar irritates the gums and can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis.
Decayed teeth not only lead to aesthetic loss, but also negatively affect oral health by increasing the risk of pain and infection.
Harm of Plaque and Tartar
Plaque starts to form just 20 minutes after eating. If not removed, plaque hardens and turns into tartar. The acids in plaque damage the enamel that covers your teeth, which leads to tooth decay. Cavities do not usually cause pain unless they grow and damage nerves or break the tooth. However, an untreated cavity can cause an infection in the tooth called a dental abscess. This infection destroys the inside of the tooth (pulp) and may require more extensive treatment or extraction.
Risk of Tooth Decay Spreading to the Body
Untreated tooth decay can lead to infections not only in the mouth but also in other parts of the body. These infections can increase the risk of heart disease and weaken the immune system. So when you notice a cavity in your tooth, don’t delay in getting it treated. Early treatment can help you avoid major problems.
If left untreated, tooth decay is not only painful but can also cause serious health complications. Therefore, regular dental care and regular visits to the dentist are very important for cavity prevention and a healthy mouth.
Problems That May Occur If a Decayed Tooth is Not Treated
Complete Damage to the Tooth
Over time, decayed teeth can go deeper into the tooth and damage the root of the tooth. Once the structure of the tooth begins to decay, the decay progresses rapidly if left untreated. This process can lead to complete damage to the tooth and eventually to its extraction.
Damage to Dental Nerves
Decay can reach the nerves inside the tooth and cause severe pain. Damage to the dental nerves can increase the pain, requiring root canal treatment or tooth extraction. This stage occurs because the decay is left untreated.
Increased Risk of Inflammation and Infection
As decay progresses, inflammation and infection can develop in the tissues around the tooth. The infection can spread within the gums and pose greater health risks to the body if left untreated. Leaving the infection untreated can lead to severe pain and swollen gums.
Sensitivity to Hot and Cold
Untreated tooth decay can lead to tooth sensitivity problems. Hypersensitivity to foods such as hot, cold and sweet may develop. This may be a sign of progression of caries and requires early treatment.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay usually shows certain symptoms. If these symptoms are noticed, you should consult a dentist immediately. You may not feel any pain in the initial stage of caries, but the following symptoms may appear in the progressive process:
- Sensitivity in the teeth
- Aches and pains around the tooth
- Black and brown spots
- Abscesses or swelling in the gums
- Fractures in the teeth and pitting on the inside
Things to Do to Prevent Tooth Decay
There are several important steps that can be taken to prevent tooth decay:
- Brushing your teeth at least twice a day can prevent cavities from forming.
- Consumption of sugary and starchy foods predisposes to cavities, so it is important to limit them.
- Regular dental check-ups are essential to detect and treat cavities at an early stage.
- Toothpastes containing fluoride help protect teeth against decay.
- Eating foods rich in calcium and fiber supports dental health.
Treatment Methods for Tooth Decay
For tooth decay, you should consult your dentist for a detailed examination. Depending on the size of the decay, the treatment method your dentist may prefer may differ. If the tooth that has started to decay is not treated, you may face the risk of losing your tooth and you may experience serious health problems such as infection.
Fluoride treatment strengthens the enamel structure of the tooth and prevents the progression of decay. This early treatment can prevent further damage to the tooth.
In small cavities, the tooth is restored to its former health by filling the lost part of the tooth. Dental filling materials include options such as composite, amalgam, ceramic.
When the decay progresses to the nerves of the tooth, root canal treatment can be applied. With this treatment, the inside of the tooth is cleaned, disinfected and filled. Root canal treatment protects the tooth and prevents further damage.
If the decay is too advanced and the tooth cannot be reversed, it may need to be extracted. Alternatives such as implants, bridges or dentures can be used to replace the extracted tooth.
Plaque on teeth can turn into tartar over time. Professional dental cleaning ensures that tartar and plaque accumulations are removed, which prevents the formation of cavities.
Untreated tooth decay can threaten not only oral health but also general health. Early intervention prevents larger and more expensive treatment processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth produce acid from food (especially sugar and starch). This acid damages the tooth enamel and causes decay.
Yes, a bruise may initially be painless. But as it progresses, it can cause pain, tenderness and infection.
Regular brushing, avoiding sugary foods, regular visits to the dentist and using fluoride toothpaste prevent tooth decay.
Symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, pain, black or brown spots, swollen gums and abscesses may occur.
Treatment time varies according to the size of the tooth decay. Filling treatment for small cavities can take 30 minutes, while root canal treatment may be required for large cavities.
Root canal treatment is usually performed under local anesthesia and patients do not feel pain during the procedure.
Yes, untreated dental infections can spread throughout the body and increase the risk of heart disease.
Yes, progressive tooth decay compromises the structural integrity of the tooth and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
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