Can tooth decay be cured?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on February 18, 2025
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Cavities are a type of destructive dental hard tissue disease caused by bacterial infections and are also a chronic progressive infectious disease. Cavities can only improve through early and effective intervention and treatment; otherwise, the condition may develop further, leading to pulpitis or apical periodontitis. Severe cases can also cause systemic symptoms such as space infections, and some may lead to bacteremia or sepsis. In the early stages of development, cavities have no clinical symptoms. At this stage, filling the cavity is painless. If the decay progresses to reach or approach the dental nerve, filling the cavity can then cause widespread pain. If it reaches the dental nerve, it cannot be directly filled in one go; it requires dental treatment for improvement.

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Written by Wang Peng
Dentistry
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What will happen if a cavity is filled without being cleaned properly?

If tooth decay is not completely cleaned out before filling, bacteria can continue to develop and multiply within the tooth, leading to more severe decay and potentially causing diseases such as pulpitis or periapical periodontitis. It is recommended that patients with cavities should undergo treatment based on the severity of the decay. Mild cavities usually only cause minor changes in tooth color; this can be gently abraded and then treated with fluoride materials. If the cavity is more severe, the decayed material inside the cavity should be completely removed, and then light-cured resin material can be used for filling. Deeper cavities may also require a protective pulp base.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to brush teeth with cavities

Cavities are a disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth, belonging to a type of self-destructive and infectious disease, and cavities need to be treated in a timely manner. When brushing teeth with cavities, it is especially important to brush thoroughly. Fluoride toothpaste can be used to clean each surface of the teeth, including the occlusal, buccal, lingual, and the insides of the teeth. Sometimes it is difficult for the bristles to reach the inside of the teeth, in which case an interdental brush or dental floss can be used to clean these areas to prevent the occurrence of cavities inside the teeth. Besides brushing, it is also necessary to fill the teeth promptly, also known as dental filling.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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What to do if you have tooth decay and swollen, painful gums?

When patients experience dental caries and swollen, painful gums, it is advised that they seek medical attention promptly. They may take some anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to relieve inflammation and pain. After the inflammation has completely subsided, treatment should be based on the extent of damage to the dental caries. If the damage to the dental caries is minor, conservative treatment may be sufficient. However, if the damage is severe, it may affect part of the tooth structure or even the entire tooth and root, possibly leading to cavitation. In such cases, it is recommended that patients consider tooth extraction or filling as remedial measures. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene and develop correct tooth brushing habits. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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What will happen if you insist on not getting a root canal for a cavity?

When a patient has dental caries, if they insist on not undergoing root canal treatment, it may lead to the exacerbation of tooth decay, damage to the tooth root or gum tissue, and long-term stimulation can cause the gums to shrink, and even lead to tooth loosening and loss. Therefore, it is recommended that if a patient has dental caries, the best method is to perform some filling restorative treatments. If the decay reaches the nerve of the teeth, it can cause symptoms of nighttime pain, or biting pain, so it is advised that the patient should undergo root canal treatment. Once tooth decay occurs, if it cannot be treated with self-repair, it is not possible to completely heal itself, and this will lead to further development.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Can a cavity wait a month?

Cavities should be filled as soon as possible, through a treatment known as filling, and it is best not to delay. If a cavity could have been simply filled within a month, it might further become infected, causing inflammation of the dental nerve and leading to conditions such as pulpitis or apical periodontitis. Direct filling won't be possible; the tooth will need treatment before it can be filled. Cavities are a type of hard tissue decay caused by bacterial infection. If it's an adult's cavity, the progression is relatively slow and may only advance partially within a month, not reaching the dental nerve. However, in children, cavity progression is very rapid; if not promptly treated, severe dental nerve pain could occur within a month, necessitating further dental treatments.