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VOS
DENTISTES SUR
LE PLATEAU MONT-ROYAL
Notre clinique se distingue à Montréal en étant une pionnière dans l’utilisation des technologies. En plus d’une gestion des dossiers patients sans papier, celles-ci nous permettent de prodiguer des soins confortablement, rapidement et avec une grande précision.
A dental cavity may seem harmless at first. However, this is far from always being the case. As cavities progress, bacteria spread and can lead to serious complications. In this article, we explain why it is important to treat a cavity quickly.
Bacteria in the mouth produce acids when they feed on food residues that contain sugars and carbohydrates. These acids can eventually break through the enamel surface, creating a small hole. This is how a cavity forms. As explained in a previous article about cavity progression, the action of bacteria in the absence of treatment should never be underestimated.
If a cavity is not detected and treated quickly, bacteria gradually attack each part of the tooth until they reach the living center. At that point, they can cause a painful infection that may even spread to other parts of the body.
Regular dental check-ups are essential to detect cavities in their early stages, whether it is an enamel cavity (outer protective layer) or a dentin cavity (underlying layer). Early detection makes it possible to treat the cavity with a filling. But once the cavity progresses, treatment is not always that simple.
Pulpitis is an infection of the dental pulp, the central part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. It results from a cavity that has deepened enough to reach the pulp. It usually causes significant pain (toothache) and other symptoms typical of infection. How is it treated? In most cases, a root canal treatment is required to remove the infected pulp tissue, disinfect the tooth, and seal the space created during the procedure.
A dental abscess is an advanced infection. It appears as an accumulation of pus, swelling on the face, fever, and severe pain. In the case of an untreated cavity, the abscess forms at the tip of the affected tooth’s root. The infection can destroy the surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body, such as the heart or lungs, if not treated quickly. It is considered a dental emergency because complications must be avoided.
In cases of deep infection, the tissues anchoring the tooth roots may deteriorate irreversibly. As a result, the stability of the tooth is compromised. When no other option is available, the tooth may need to be extracted before it falls out on its own. An extracted tooth must always be replaced with a traditional restoration (dental bridge) or an implant-supported restoration.
In addition to good oral hygiene habits at home, the best way to prevent complications associated with cavities is to stop them from progressing. This requires regular dental exams during routine visits. This is one of the reasons why routine check-ups are recommended every six to twelve months.
Do not let cavities harm your oral health or your smile. Make sure to visit your dentist at Plateau Mont-Royal regularly.
