At What Point Can a Cavity Not Be Fixed

What Happens if You Don't Treat a Cavity?

A dentist holds open a child's mouth so you can see a bad cavity. Cavity might as well be a four letter word.

Cavities have been a bad word for as long as they have had a name. It is no secret that the very thought of one may make your teeth clench in opposition to treatment.

The majority of people are familiar with cavities and know the treatment process, including regular cleaning exams. But most people don't know the process of what happens to a tooth if it's left untreated.

We hope that by telling you what happens with a bad cavity will lead you to making proper oral hygiene a part of your daily routine. Here's a brief summary of what to expect if a cavity goes untreated.

A Bad Cavity Can Bring Further Decay

Cavities don't just go away on their own. If you ignore a cavity, it will continue to grow in size. One bad cavity could lead to a second cavity before long. Decay of the tooth will widen and deepen; this will make you more prone to brittle teeth leaving them to the possibility of cracking and breaking.

How Serious Cavities Impact Your Nerves

Taking it a step further, if cavities go untreated the decay will eventually reach your nerves. This can be severely painful because nerves become exposed to the air as a cavity progresses. Nerve pain can be an ongoing and excruciating ordeal as the sensitivity within the tooth continues to be compromised. By this time, the tooth will either need a root canal or to be extracted.

Infection from a Bad Cavity

Infection in the mouth and jaw area is of greatest concern even above the pain you may experience. Infection can lead to increased pain, swelling, and other health concerns. You'll need an antibiotic to help fight the infection along with treatment of the tooth to take care of the cavity in whatever way the dentist feels is best.

Illness and Death

Finally, it may be hard to imagine, but a cavity can actually lead to an infection that is so bad that it can cause serious illness or even death. Thankfully, modern technology makes it so this is rarely ever the case. There's certainly no need to let things go that long.

As you can see, letting a cavity progress certainly has a snowball effect. Treatment is very easy when cavities begin but can be much more involved if you ignore them. If you suspect that you have a cavity, you should seek immediate treatment from your dentist.

Schedule A Consultation To Treat Your Cavity Today!

At Southfield Family Dental Center, we know that your smile is important to you. That's why we have a staff of experienced dental professionals ready to meet all your dental needs. Schedule an appointment today, and let us help you get your smile looking great again!

The article was originally posted on October 20, 2016. We revised it once on March 11, 2019, then again on July 28, 2020. The author of this page is Dr. Noah Levi.

Will I Ever Need to Have My Implants Replaced?

Originally posted on 07/28/2016 How long will this last? This question is one of the most ones that we get asked. How long will this procedure take? How long will the recovery time take? How long will this protect my teeth? These...

How Dental Implants Can Change Your Life

Originally posted on 01/29/2015 Every day, dental implants are changing the lives of millions of people. The increased confidence and self-esteem that come from having a perfect smile will affect every aspect of your...

Recovery Time For Dental Implants

Originally posted on 06/26/2018 How long is it? A common question we get asked about dental implant procedures is how long they take. The recovery times from dental implant surgery vary depending on a patient's case. For instance,...

A Better Kind of Denture: Implant Supported Dentures

Originally posted on 02/06/2014 It can be frustrating to deal with the inconveniences of regular false teeth. From speech problems to a change in diet, dentures can pose a whole set of problems - yet many of these can be abated...

Why Dental Implants: The Benefits of Dental Implant Procedures

Originally published on 01/15/2020 Getting the best, most healthy smile takes some work. You have to stay on top of your daily cleaning routines, including brushing and flossing two times a day. Staying away from cigarettes helps. However,...

Everything You Need to Know about Wisdom Teeth

Content originally posted on 08/07/2012, 03/16/2017, and 03/13/2019. With age comes bodily changes. The development and changes in your mouth are no different than every other part of your growing body. Teeth go through many...

What You Need to Know to about Oral Cancer

Originally posted on 08/07/2012 The Oral Cancer Foundation notes that "mouth cancer will be newly diagnosed in about 100 new individuals each day in the U.S. alone, and a person dies from oral cancer every hour of every...

3 Reasons Why You Should Floss Regularly

Originally posted on 01/18/2016 When your dentist asks you whether or not you are flossing daily, if you are like most American adults, you internally cringe. Everyone knows we should be flossing for our oral health, but a recent...

My Tooth Hurts - What Should I Do?

Originally posted on 06/18/2020 Pain is no fun. No matter how old you are or where your pain is, hurting is no good. If you have ever had a toothache, you know what we are talking about. Whether it is from an injury, an infection, gum...

Composite or Porcelain Veneers: Which is Right for You?

Originally posted on 08/20/2019 Do you have chipped, mismatched, or discolored teeth? What about your smile, is there any change you would make? Dental veneers, one of Southfield Family Dental's most popular cosmetic dentistry...

How to Stop Bleeding Gums While Still Brushing and Flossing

Originally posted on 12/10/2019 Have you ever seen some pink coloring when you spit out your toothpaste? Maybe you notice your gums bleeding while you floss. A little blood is no big deal, but keep track of how much and how frequently...

What You Need to Know About the Most Common Types of Dental Implants

Nature can help you along, but at a certain point it needs some help from dentists and doctors. A shining smile fits into your self-confidence and ability to eat. Your teeth and oral health work together to serve aesthetic and functional...

What Should You Do If a Permanent Tooth Feels Loose?

After we lose all of our baby teeth, our adult teeth have to last us for the rest of our lives. That's a lot to ask, given the amount of work and abuse that our teeth have to withstand daily. Thankfully our molars and incisors are up to...

Common Diseases That Cause Tooth Decay

Original Post: 12/18/2018 Tooth decay happens when the enamel on your tooth is destroyed. Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that you can see. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that is always on your teeth. Sugar in the food you eat...

Affordable Dental Implants Can Be Your Long-Term Solution

Imagine this: you or your child trips and has an accident. It just so happens that it is one of those "1 in a million" chances that a tooth gets cracked or even knocked out. What do you do? If you or a loved one has a serious problem...

Do You Replace Missing Teeth? (Yes, and We Have Options!)

Chances are, you or someone you know is missing a tooth. Up to 50% of U.S. citizens are missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. The most common reasons people lose a tooth are gum disease, injury, or tooth...

Open for Emergencies Dental Work During COVID-19 Stay at Home Order

Finding the services you need is never an easy task. With the stay at home guidelines in Michigan, knowing where to go has become even more challenging. Businesses have needed to reduce or change their services to protect their clients and staff,...

How Often Should I Visit the Dentist? The Optimal Dental Cleaning Schedule

Stopping diseases from forming in your mouth is good for your teeth and your overall health. Proactive oral health comes from regular dental visits. A lot is going on in your mouth, so when something goes wrong, it goes wrong quickly. But many...

At What Point Can a Cavity Not Be Fixed

Source: https://www.southfieldsmile.com/blog/What-Happens-if-You-Dont-Treat-a-Cavity_AE76.html