Does removing a cavity-affected tooth have any impact?

Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
Updated on December 17, 2024
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Cavities, also commonly referred to as tooth decay, can impact daily life depending on the situation. Generally, if the cavity is not severe, extraction is not necessary, and treatment should be attempted if possible. However, extraction can be harmful, as it creates a gap. The teeth adjacent to this gap can be affected, leading to tilting towards the gap or becoming loose, which may impact how the teeth come together when biting. The body has a protective mechanism that can automatically close this space, but although this closes the gap, it may destabilize the overall bite alignment and function, potentially affecting the temporomandibular joint function. Therefore, if tooth decay occurs, it is advised to seek prompt treatment at a formal dental hospital or a major hospital’s dental pulp department, where the decayed and necrotic tissue can be removed and the cavity filled to restore the shape of the tooth crown and some of the biting function.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
48sec home-news-image

How to treat a cavity that has decayed to the root of the tooth?

For a tooth decayed to the root, it is first necessary to take an X-ray of the tooth. If the X-ray shows that the root still has some salvage value, the tooth can be preserved through root canal treatment after controlling the inflammation. If the decay has reached the tip of the root and the root has no salvage value, the tooth needs to be extracted soon after controlling the inflammation. After the tooth is extracted, it is necessary to get a dental prosthesis as soon as possible depending on the condition of the tooth. If the prosthesis is not done in time, the tooth above may elongate, and the teeth on either side may tilt towards the gap, potentially leading to the loss of space over time.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to prevent dental caries

Cavities are a destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. The first step in preventing cavities is to understand the causes and implement basic prevention measures. Firstly, the condition is associated with bacterial infection, and controlling dental plaque through effective brushing can help. Data shows that dental plaque can easily reattach to teeth within eight hours after brushing. Therefore, it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and evening. Some people are accustomed to brushing at night and just rinsing in the morning; however, this practice is incorrect as effective brushing helps control the accumulation of dental plaque. Secondly, diet plays a role, with sugary foods, especially sucrose, being particularly conducive to cavities. It is advisable to reduce the intake and frequency of sugar consumption. Additionally, effectively supplementing calcium can help prevent inherent enamel hypoplasia of the teeth. If the mother experiences calcium deficiency during pregnancy, there is also a higher risk of cavities.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is a cavity the same as tooth decay?

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are a chronic progressive destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. Once a tooth is affected by a cavity, it is necessary to fill the tooth as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bacteria will further infect the tooth, causing inflammation of the dental nerve. Inflammation results in significant pain, including sensitivity to hot and cold, pain intensified by temperature changes, and even symptoms of nighttime pain. The most typical symptom of pulpitis is nighttime pain, which can wake someone from sleep. Therefore, once cavities occur, it is crucial to remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill it promptly to prevent potential tooth loss.

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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 Wang Peng
Dentistry
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Can cavities be seen with the naked eye?

Some cavities are visible to the naked eye, while others are not. Clinically, some cavities can be observed with the naked eye. Such cavities usually have damage that extends beyond the enamel, with obvious cavities and incomplete tooth structures visible. For example, cavities on the biting surfaces of molar teeth and on the adjacent surfaces of front teeth that are moderate to severe can be seen with the naked eye. However, not all cavities can be observed with the naked eye. When the decay is confined within the enamel without obvious cavity formation, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be diagnosed by taking dental X-rays. Clinically, there are also some cavities on adjacent surfaces where the decay starts from hidden parts of the tooth; some of these might show ink-soaked-like dark brown discoloration on the biting surfaces, but they too require dental X-rays for diagnosis.