Many individuals assume tooth decay and cavities are the identical issues. Properly, the 2 situations are associated as cavities are a results of tooth decay. However they don’t seem to be the identical factor, so we shouldn’t use the phrases interchangeably. So what precisely is tooth decay and what’s a cavity? How are you going to acknowledge, forestall, and deal with the situations? Hold studying to be taught extra about enamel decay vs cavity.

What’s Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is the progressive corrosion of the layers of a tooth. It happens when dangerous micro organism within the mouth produce corrosive acids whereas digesting sugary or starchy meals. The acids, meals particles, and micro organism mix to kind a biofilm coating on the enamel known as plaque. You probably have ever felt a fuzzy sensation once you run your tongue over your enamel, then you realize what plaque looks like.

Each day brushing and flossing simply do away with the plaque that varieties every day in our mouths. However you probably have poor oral hygiene, the plaque will kind right into a hard-to-remove substance known as tartar. Moreover, the acids within the plaque will begin corroding the enamel of our enamel. That is the early stage of tooth decay. In case your oral hygiene doesn’t enhance the tooth decay will transcend the enamel layer to the dentin and eventually the pulp layer. Ultimately, untreated tooth decay might trigger tooth loss.

What’s Cavity?

A cavity is a gap within the tooth that happens due to untreated tooth decay. When our enamel are in touch with plaque acids for too lengthy, the enamel loses a few of its minerals. White flecks seem on the enamel rather than the misplaced minerals. That is the primary signal of tooth decay. At this level, you possibly can reverse the issue by enhancing your oral hygiene. Moreover, you possibly can remineralize the enamel by brushing with fluoride toothpaste, utilizing a fluoride oral rinse, or consuming faucet water.

In case your tooth decay goes unchecked after the primary warning signal, the plaque acids proceed to erode your enamel. Ultimately, holes or openings will develop on the floor of the enamel. These are cavities. So, we are able to say {that a} cavity is a symptom of the second stage of tooth decay.

Prevention and Therapy of Tooth Decay vs Cavity

You’ll be able to forestall each tooth decay and cavities by brushing and flossing your enamel every day and avoiding sugary and starchy meals and drinks. Brushing your enamel after each meal or no less than each morning and night removes plaque. However brushing alone will not be sufficient. Some meals get caught between and on the corners of our enamel so we should floss as soon as a day to do away with them. Flossing within the night after your final meal and earlier than brushing your enamel removes probably the most quantity of plaque.

These which might be susceptible to plaque and cavities are additionally higher off avoiding sugary meals and drinks in addition to starchy meals. Doing so retains tooth decay and cavities at bay however might also forestall different diseases like diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers. One other good technique to forestall cavities, particularly on the molars and premolars is to get dental sealants.

For those who do get a cavity, the best choice is to go to a dentist as quickly as potential. Dentists have totally different remedy choices that they could observe relying on the severity of the cavity. They will reverse a cavity if it’s in its early phases by way of fluoride therapies. Absolutely developed cavities are handled with dental fillings, crowns, and root canals.

In case cavities aren’t handled tooth decay can progress to painful infections and tooth abscesses. In these later phases, the one remedy choice left could also be tooth extraction.

Last Phrase on Tooth Decay vs Cavity

Tooth decay is the progressive destruction of a tooth, layer by layer, from the enamel to the pulp. Cavities are one of many certain signs of tooth decay. You’ll be able to forestall tooth decay and cavities by following a correct oral hygiene routine and avoiding sugary and starchy meals.

Brushing your enamel with a fluoride gel and utilizing a fluoride mouth rinse may also remineralize your enamel. This reduces your probabilities of getting cavities. It’s also vital to go to your dentist a couple of times a yr for checkups and routine cleansing. The dentist will be capable of acknowledge and reverse early indicators of tooth decay.