Tooth cavity and its dangers
What is a tooth cavity and is it dangerous?
The word cavity means “a hole.” When holes develop in your teeth, dentists label them “tooth cavities.” Yes, tooth cavities are dangerous. If a tooth cavity is left untreated, it causes pain and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. Additionally, a tooth cavity can cause an abscess to form and ruin a person’s smile (1).
Enamel forms the outer part of your teeth. Enamel consists of calcium, phosphorus, and protein and is the hardest substance of the body (2). If you do not brush your teeth, plaque develops on the teeth. Plaque consists of bacteria. Plaque is very sticky. When you eat food, food particles stick to the plaque. Bacteria use the food to derive energy for themselves and in the process produce acids. These acids damage the enamel. If you do not brush your teeth regularly, the acids produce a hole in the enamel known as a tooth cavity (3, 4, 5).
If the cavity is left untreated, the plaque, bacteria, and food particles enter into the cavity. When you eat, more food particles enter into the cavity. The bacteria continue to utilize the food particles for energy and continue to produce acids. The acids further destroys the enamel and the cavity enlarges. Finally, a point comes when the plaque, food particles, and bacteria reach the dentine, a bone like structure, which lies below the enamel (6).
The process of acid production continues and the bacteria with the plaque and food particles drill through the enamel to reach the tooth pulp. The tooth pulp contains blood vessels and nerves. When bacteria enter the blood vessels, the body recruits white blood cells to fight the bacteria. With time pus forms in the pulp which causes extreme pain.
Since food can enter the cavity and stimulate the nerves present in the pulp, pain and sensitivity to hot and cold foods occur. Once an abscess develops, a person feels constant pain because the abscess pushes against the nerve which produces pain.
All in all, a tooth cavity is a hole which develops in a tooth. Tooth cavities, if left untreated, pose great danger. They cause pain, broken teeth, sensitivity to hold and cold foods and drinks, and abscess formation.
Source(s):
- Cavity danger, Information About Dentistry, 2008, retrieved 7 March 2008.
- Tooth: structure of a normal tooth, myDr.com.au, 2002, retrieved 7 March 2008.
- ibid.
- Frequently asked questions, British Dental Health Foundation, 2005, retrieved 7 March 2008.
- What is plaque, DuPage County Health Department, 2008, retrieved 7 March 2008.
- Tooth: structure of a normal tooth, myDr.com.au, 2002, retrieved 7 March 2008.