Stages of Dental Caries-Tooth Decay- Signs and Symptoms- Neglect at your own cost
Tooth decay does not happen overnight, Its progress is usually slow to give both the patient and dentist adequate time to manage the same.
Stage One: White Spots
The first stage of tooth decay involves the appearance of yellowish spots or chalky white areas on the surface of tooth due to the loss of calcium.
Such tooth decay is still reversible, with proper treatment.
Symptoms-
ØChalky white areas or yellowish spots, occasionally food Impaction- Food getting stuck frequently between teeth.
Dentist Role and Treatment
Ø The decaying tooth can be saved by the application of fluoride and certain minerals present in the saliva. During the initial stages of tooth decay, the condition can be easily countered.
Stage Two: Enamel Decay
During this stage, the tooth enamel starts breaking below the surface layer, with the surface intact.
If the decay persists, the surface of the tooth will be broken and this damage is irreversible.
Symptoms-
ØFood Impacting between your teeth
ØBad odour from the Mouth
Dentist Role and Treatment
ØAt this stage, your tooth needs to be cleaned and filled by your dentist.
Stage Three: Dentin Decay
In the third stage, the decay progresses beyond the enamel into the dentin.
Symptoms-
ØSensitivity to Cold, Sweet and Hot- Initially to Cold and sweet, then eventually to hot as well.
ØThe pain levels also start intensifying along with the many stages of tooth decay. Any dental pain should be immediately noted so that the problem can be dealt with soon.
ØFrank cavitation of tooth with food impaction, some times change in color and translucency of tooth may be the only inidication
Dentist Role and Treatment
ØAt this juncture, your dentist can still restore the affected tooth with a filling. If the decay is very deep then a temporary filling is done initially with a layer of calcium hydroxide to aid in recalcification and then a permanent filling is done later.
Stage Four: Involvement Of The Pulp
The pulp of the tooth gets involved and infected due to the action of bacteria.
Pus formation results, causing the blood vessels and nerves in the pulp to die.
Symptoms-
ØMild nagging to Sharp Shooting pain that may be radiating to adjoining areas.
ØSevere sensitivity to hot, cold or sweets or even on eating normal food or even on drinking plain water.
ØPain that increases at night or lying down
ØPain on chewing or drinking that lingers for some time
Dentist Role and Treatment
ØAt this stage, root canal therapy is the only option of treatment.
Stage Five: Abscess Formation
The infection reaches the root tip of the tooth.
The bones surrounding the tooth also get infected, causing severe pain.
This is the final stage of the infection.
You may have visible swelling on the cheeks, along the affected side.
Symptoms-
ØSevere pain or surprisingly sometimes minimal pain.
ØSwelling and redness
ØDifficulty opening the mouth
ØTooth feeling in a higher position with difficulty to completely close the mouth or bite.
ØFever, Nausea and vomiting.
ØDental infection can also lead to cyst formation
Dentist Role and Treatment
ØYour dentist will prescribe antibiotics and painkillers.
ØThe dentist may perform a root canal therapy or remove the infected tooth at this stage.
ØMay require incision or surgical procedure to drain the infection.
ØThis may end up in a life threatening condition or can cause long standing complications.
