Progression of Cavities

Understanding Tooth Decay: What a Cavity Really Does

It shows the layers of a tooth and how a cavity (or dental decay) moves deeper over time. By seeing how the damage progresses, it’s easier to understand why early treatment is so important — and how your dentist decides the best way to help.

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How Cavities Progress and Why Early Treatment Matters

Your teeth are made of three main layers:

  • Enamel – This is the hard, outer shell of your tooth. It’s the strongest material in your body and serves to protect your teeth. However, enamel can be damaged by acids produced from plaque and sugary foods.
  • Dentin – Located beneath the enamel is a softer layer called dentin. It’s full of tiny tubes that lead straight to the nerve of your tooth. Because it’s more porous than enamel, decay spreads more quickly once it reaches this layer.
  • Pulp – Deep inside the tooth is the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. If a cavity reaches the pulp, it can cause severe pain and may require a root canal to treat the infection.

These symptoms can affect how you can talk, eat, and sleep comfortably. Botox is a non-surgical option that may give you the relief that you have been looking for.

When a cavity starts, it usually only affects the enamel and painless. But as the decay progresses into the dentin and moves closer to the pulp, the tooth becomes more sensitive — especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods. The closer the decay gets to the nerve, the more likely you are to feel discomfort, even after a filling is placed.

That’s why it is so important to catch and treat cavities early: it helps prevent pain, keeps your tooth healthier, and may prevent the need for more extensive dental treatment later.

These symptoms can affect how you can talk, eat, and sleep comfortably. Botox is a non-surgical option that may give you the relief that you have been looking for.