What Happens If You Don't Treat Cavities

What will happen if you won’t let your Hopedale Dentist, IL, treat your cavities? A lot of things can happen, and unfortunately, none are good. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90% of adults older than 20 have had at least one cavity. One in every four adults between ages 20 and 65 has at least one dental cavity right now.   

Based on these records, cavities are not uncommon. The good news is that they can be addressed with a simple dental filling procedure. Whenever dentists detect cavities on your teeth, they would encourage you to have them treated as soon as possible before complications set in. When a cavity worsens, it may be more difficult and expensive to treat.

Why Should You Treat Cavities and What Happens If You Don’t?

What are Cavities?

Cavities are tiny holes that form in your teeth. Technically, they are a result of plaque buildup. Dental plaque is a sticky biofilm composed of bacteria. Bacteria in plaque release powerful acids that are strong enough to erode the hardest and outermost layer of your teeth called the enamel.

When the integrity of your enamel is compromised, acids and bacteria can infiltrate the next layer, known as the dentin. The demineralization of your enamel can make your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat Cavities?

If you leave a cavity untreated, it can cause further damage to your tooth. The following could happen if a cavity is allowed to progress:

1. As the cavity forms, your tooth starts to weaken. Cavities can be avoided if you undergo regular fluoride treatments from your dentist.

2. During the early stages of cavity development, you won’t feel anything. Your dentist will be the one to tell you that you have cavities after your oral exam.

3. If the cavity isn’t treated at this stage, the decay will worsen and penetrate the next layer of your teeth, known as the dentin.

4. The cavity will continue to progress until it reaches down to the middle part of your tooth (dental pulp), which houses connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.

5. At this point, the infected pulp can instigate the formation of an abscess. Once an abscess forms, you’ll experience pain and tooth sensitivity. Your dentist can try to save your tooth through a root canal treatment, but if the damage is too extensive, your dentist will have no choice but to extract the tooth to prevent the infection from spreading.

The moment cavities are detected, you’ll need to treat them as soon as possible because if you leave them alone, cavities will continue to grow. The decay will inevitably destroy your tooth’s integrity and structure. Over time, the decay will reach the nerves of your tooth, leading to extensive tooth damage, widespread infection, and tooth loss.

Let Our Hopedale Dentist in IL Treat Your Cavities Today!

If you want to save your tooth and avoid costly treatments, have our dentist fix your cavities today. At Smalltown Dental, our goal is to make you feel relaxed while receiving the dental care you deserve. Our team has years of experience in the industry, and we use the latest dental technology to help maintain your oral health. Contact us today to book an appointment.