How to treat tooth decay without a cavity?

Written by Fang Xiao
Dentistry
Updated on March 31, 2025
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Once a cavity forms, there is definitely a cavity hole. It might appear that there is no hole on the surface, but the texture has already softened, forming a cavity hole; it's just that it has not been discovered by oneself. It can be seen by a doctor using an examination and can also be detected by taking dental X-rays. At this point, one should follow the treatment principles for cavities, which involve removing the decayed and necrotic material inside the cavity and then filling it with filling material. If it is an interproximal cavity, the decay inside can be removed via an X-ray and then filled. Some occlusal pit and fissure caries, which are relatively shallow, can be treated with topical fluoride medication. For cavities, it is important to detect and treat them early. Regular oral hygiene should be maintained, with brushing in the morning and evening, and rinsing after meals. If a cavity is not treated in time, it will become deeper and ultimately turn into a residual root, which will need to be extracted.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Will tooth decay affect the replacement of teeth?

Cavities can have a certain impact on tooth replacement. Cavities are a chronic progressive destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissue of the tooth. If not treated in time, it may further develop, forming pulpitis or even apical periodontitis. Once it reaches the stage of apical periodontitis, it may form a gum abscess, or even swelling. During the process of new teeth eruption, they emerge outward through the position of the old tooth roots by absorbing the roots of the old teeth. If there is severe inflammation in the eruption pathway, it may lead to the destruction of the dental follicle of the new tooth, causing a developmental defect in the enamel of the new tooth. Therefore, it is possible that cavities can affect tooth replacement.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Can cavities spread to other teeth?

Cavities are a disease caused by bacterial infections of the hard tissues of the teeth, and they are infectious but not contagious. If cavities are not treated in a timely manner, the inflammation can further infect the dental nerves, causing nerve inflammation, and even lead to damage in the apical region of the tooth. Damage to the apical region of a tooth may also lead to damage in the apical region of adjacent teeth due to inflammation. This situation can spread to other teeth, but it is limited to the stage of apical inflammation. If it is just a simple cavity, where decay is confined to the crown area of a tooth, it will not spread to other teeth. Therefore, once a tooth decays, it is necessary to carry out dental filling treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to deal with toothache from cavities?

Cavity toothache occurs when bacteria infect the hard tissue of the tooth, approaching or reaching the dental nerve, causing a pain response from the nerve, which is also a self-protective reaction. Initial treatment for cavity toothache involves using a drill to remove the decayed hard tissue of the tooth. If the decay is completely removed and the dental nerve is not exposed, this condition can be directly treated by filling or using a pulp-capping agent to protect the nerve before filling. If, after removing the decay, the dental nerve is exposed or reached, the situation cannot be resolved with a direct and immediate filling. Instead, nerve-killing procedures are necessary, which involve root canal treatment of the tooth.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to treat children with dental caries?

To treat cavities in children, first, the extent of tooth decay needs to be assessed. If the decay is mild, the decayed part can be removed and directly filled. If the decay is severe enough to inflame the dental nerve, an X-ray of the tooth is required. If it is a deciduous tooth that is about to fall out soon and is not worth saving, treatment might be unnecessary. However, if the tooth root has not been absorbed and the permanent tooth will take a long time to erupt, root canal treatment can be considered. In cases where a young permanent molar is decayed and the nerve is infected, a vital pulpotomy should be performed to preserve the living pulp and promote further development of the tooth root.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to treat a tooth that is half decayed?

When a patient has a cavity that has already damaged the dental tissues, causing severe damage to the dental tissues, the general advice for the patient is to go directly to a regular dental hospital for treatment. The best approach is generally to extract the tooth; extraction is the best option, but it should be done when the body is in good condition to remove the damaged tooth. Additionally, patients should pay attention to oral hygiene and can take some anti-inflammatory drugs orally to effectively control inflammation. Furthermore, during tooth extraction, it is crucial to pay attention to local hygiene, be mindful of food residue inside the mouth, eat and drink before the extraction, keep a relaxed mood, and follow the doctor's advice after extraction. Generally, do not eat for two hours after the surgery, do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth within a day, avoid touching the wound, and manage your diet reasonably.