Understanding The Steps Of Tooth Decay

Persistent toothache, discolouration and sensitivity when eating are common signs of tooth decay. Book a consultation with Yorkshire Dental Suite for a thorough oral health examination and advice on next steps.

There are five steps of tooth decay, each with its own risks to your oral health. The treatment and advice recommended by your dentist will depend on which step the decay has reached.

Step 1: Demineralisation (initial decay)

The enamel begins to lose essential minerals, such as calcium and phosphate. This stage of tooth decay can be reversed with assistance from a dentist.

Causes: Exposure to acids produced by plaque bacteria, dry mouth, fixed braces, poor oral hygiene
Symptoms: White spots, tooth sensitivity, rough tooth texture

Step 2: Enamel decay

If demineralisation is left untreated, the enamel continues to break down. From this stage onwards, tooth decay cannot be reversed.

Causes: Exposure to acids produced by plaque bacteria, bruxism, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene
Symptoms: Increased tooth sensitivity, dark spots, visible holes and cracks

Step 3: Dentin decay

Sitting just beneath the enamel is a tissue called dentin. Once the acids reach the dentin the rate of decay accelerates, and discomfort typically increases.

Causes: Untreated decay, gum recession, damaged dental work, poor oral hygiene
Symptoms: Sharp toothache, sensitivity, visible cavities, bad breath, bad taste in mouth, tooth discolouration

Step 4: Pulp damage

Home to the nerves and blood vessels, the pulp is vital in keeping the tooth alive. If the damage reaches the pulp it becomes swollen and puts painful pressure on the tooth.

Causes: Untreated decay, dental trauma, severe gum disease, bruxism, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene
Symptoms: Tooth discolouration, persistent toothache and sensitivity, bad breath, bad taste in mouth

Step 5: Abscess

The final step of tooth decay is an abscess. There is a risk of infection, which can lead to pockets of pus forming, tooth loss and other serious health risks if it spreads.

Causes: Untreated decay, dental trauma, severe gum disease, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth
Symptoms: Swelling in the face and throat, intense, throbbing pain, tooth sensitivity, fever, chills, bad breath, loose-feeling tooth

Treatments for a decayed tooth

We have listed the most common tooth decay treatments and which stage they are most suitable for. Have you already started to notice signs of decay? Dentist appointments are absolutely vital to prevent your decay from developing any further.

Dental procedure	Stage of tooth decay	How does it work?
Fluoride treatments	Demineralisation	A concentrated varnish, paste or gel is applied to the affected tooth to help strengthen and rebuild its enamel.
Filling	Enamel decay, dentin decay	Your dentist first removes the decayed material, before sealing the hole permanently with your filling of choice.
Dental crown	Dentin decay, pulp damage, abscess	Replaces damage on the visible portion of the tooth. The enamel is carefully filed down, and a crown fitted on top.
Root canal	Pulp damage	The pulp’s blood vessels, nerves and tissues are removed, before being sealed with a filling or crown.
Tooth extraction	Pulp damage, abscess	The last resort. If your tooth cannot be saved with alternative procedures, it will be removed to prevent further health issues.

Protect your teeth: Tooth decay prevention tips

There are many ways in which you can minimise the risk of tooth decay from forming, both at home and with the assistance of a dental professional. The experts at Yorkshire Dental Suite have provided their top 10 tops below.

Brush twice a day: For two minutes at a time. Use a high-quality toothbrush and toothpaste containing at least 1400ppm of fluoride (the amount recommended by the Oral Health Foundation) if you are over the age of 7.
Floss regularly: Removing the bacteria and food stuck between the teeth is one of the best ways to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Water flossers, string floss and interdental brushes are all great options.
Be considerate of your diet: Sugary, acidic and starchy foods produce enamel-eroding acids. Fizzy drinks are another culprit. If medically able, try to limit your consumption and maintain a healthy balanced diet.
Stop smoking: This habit contributes to a number of serious health problems, including tooth decay. The tartar and nicotine found in cigarettes and vapes weaken the enamel over time and supports the growth of bacteria.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day encourages saliva production. When there isn’t enough saliva present to fight harmful bacteria, the risk of decay increases. Drinking water also dislodges trapped food particles.
Attend routine check-ups with your dentist: Dentists are trained to identify early signs of problems before they develop or worsen, many of which we are unable to identify ourselves. Try to attend one check-up per year.
Visit your hygienist: From a simple scale and polish to Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), a visit to the hygienist removes plaque and tartar from the teeth. This action helps to prevent decay.
Wear a mouthguard: If you play contact sports or grind your teeth, consider wearing a mouthguard. Cracks and chips caused by exercising or dental trauma invite bacteria into the tooth.
Chew sugar-free gum: After a meal. This supports saliva production which, as a result, helps to cancel out any acids that have formed and ease medical conditions such as dry mouth.
Limit your alcohol intake: Similar to smoking, alcohol dries out the mouth, while its sugary contents target the enamel. There is also a risk of vomiting if too much is consumed, which rapidly breaks down the tooth’s structure.

Conclusion:

Being knowledgeable of the 5 steps of tooth decay is essential. You can identify common symptoms and take the steps needed to prevent it from developing. If you think you have tooth decay that needs assistance, contact Yorkshire Dental Suite.