This blogpost will answer the question Can a cavity form in 2 months? And will include the following topics: How long does it take for cavities to develop?
How does a cavity form?
Understanding The Factors That Come Into Play. Tooth damage can be reversed with remineralization
Can you stop or reverse a cavity from forming at any one of these stages?How is a cavity treated?
Can a Cavity Re-occur?
Tips to prevent cavities
Can a cavity form in 2 months?
Yes, a cavity can form in 2 months. Cavities can take weeks, months or even years to develop. It depends on various factors that influence tooth decay.
How long does it take for cavities to develop?
Cavities do not appear out of nowhere. The decay process could take months, if not years, to progress to the degree where a tooth requires treatment. The complete process of tooth demineralization occurs whenever an acidic oral environment exists, which is luckily not the case in most people’s mouths.
Early-stage tooth decay may be treated if identified early enough, which is why it’s so important to see your dentist for an exam every six months.
Because everyone’s dental hygiene is different, it’s impossible to say how long it takes for a cavity to form. The following are some of the elements that determine how rapidly tooth decay occurs:
levels of acidity in the mouth
how frequently the teeth are exposed to acid
tooth enamel health and thickness
location of the cavity
How does a cavity form?
A cavity is developed due to the acid produced by oral bacteria.
As more and more acid is produced by the bacteria, the enamel starts demineralizing which is the first stage of tooth decay.
Stages of cavity development are:
Demineralization
Demineralization is the first stage of tooth decay. When the enamel is exposed to acid repeatedly the minerals present in it starts demineralizing. These appear as white spots on the tooth surface.
Enamel decay
After demineralization, the enamel starts to decay and start forming holes or cavities. These appear as brown or black discoloration.this is the second stage of cavity development.
Dentin decay
Once the cavity has formed in the enamel, the decay progresses deeper into the tooth. This is the third stage where the decay has reached the dentin,which is the soft tissue layer below the enamel. At this stage of decay, the tooth starts hurting..
Pulp decay
As the decay keeps on going on deeper into the tooth, it reaches the pulp after invading the dentin. Pulp is the innermost part of the tooth consisting of the nerve ending and blood vessels. This stage is the most painful. At this stage the gums surrounding the affected tooth may also become inflamed and can even bleed at times.
Abscesses
Even when the decay has reached the pulp the bacteria does not stop growing and multiplying. The bacteria can reach below the pulp and form a pocket of pus,called abscess. An abscess is extremely painful and at this stage a normal filling will not help and you will have to unger a root canal treatment.
No one can say how fast or slow the decay may progress. It is affected by a number of factors in which your oral hygiene plays the most essential role.
How long does it take for a cavity to reach a nerve?
Once a cavity has reached the pulp of the tooth, it might reach the nerve. The discomfort associated with severe tooth decay is caused by exposed blood vessels and nerves within the pulp.
Unfortunately, there’s no timeline for how long it takes for a cavity to reach the pulp. However, the deeper the decay buries into the tooth, the quicker the cavity will progress.
Understanding The Factors That Come Into Play
The amount of time it takes for a cavity to form is influenced by a number of factors. The following are the most prevalent factors that can enhance or decrease the pace at which cavities form:
Cavities start developing when acid levels in the mouth rises.
Letting plaque build and adhere to your teeth, enabling plaque’s acid to destroy minerals from your teeth.
Multiple small acid attacks.Your teeth are robust, but with numerous small acid attacks, eventually, a cavity will form.
The location of the cavity’s formation is also important to know. Because enamel is strong and made up of minerals, cavities in enamel take longer to form than cavities in the dentin of a tooth.
The density of the enamel of the teeth is also important. Cavities can occur more quickly along the gumline because tooth enamel is weaker there.
Enamel with lots of minerals will take longer to get a cavity than enamel with fewer minerals. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals can naturally strengthen your enamel.
Tooth damage can be reversed with remineralization
It may appear that once the circumstances are achieved for a cavity to develop, the process just continues until a full cavity is formed. However, the cavity formation process isn’t a set process. In fact, conditions can be right for a cavity to form and then a process known as remineralization can occur, which changes things.
Remineralization is a process which really reverses or corrects tooth damage. When a cavity begins to form, it is caused by either the enamel or dentin losing important minerals that protect the tooth. Remineralization aids in the reintroduction of these vital minerals into the tooth.
Once these vital minerals are re-deposited into or onto the tooth, it will begin to heal and strengthen itself. The damage created by the demineralization process is repaired over time, and the criteria for the formation of a cavity are no longer met..
It’s necessary to keep in mind that while remineralization can repair some surface damage and reduce certain cavities, it can’t prevent them completely. The remineralization process will not function if the enamel or dentin is severely damaged, and the cavity will need to be repaired..
Can you stop or reverse a cavity from forming at any one of these stages?
Luckily, it’s possible to reverse tooth decay when it’s in the early stages of demineralization.
To aid restore the minerals in the tooth during the early stages of decay, it’s essential to maintain appropriate dental hygiene. Below are some suggestions for slowing or stopping the progression of a cavity in its early stages.
Watch your sugar intake. Limit overly sugary or starchy foods.
Brush often. Brush your teeth twice per day, preferably with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Floss daily. Floss at least once per day to clean between teeth.
Use mouthwash. Consider adding a fluoride mouthwash to your nightly brushing routine.
Visit the dentist. Maintain regular visits to the dentists — a cleaning at least every 6 months is recommended.
How is a cavity treated?
The severity of tooth cavity therapy is variable. Your dentist will be able to detect tooth decay with a simple oral examination. A dental x-ray will assist the dentist to locate cavities that are not visible during an oral exam. A cavity can be treated in a number of ways, including:
Fluoride treatment:
Did you know that fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash can help prevent cavities and lessen the need for future dental cavity treatment? Brushing with fluoride toothpaste on a regular basis works as a complement to dental therapy. If your tooth decay is still in its early stages, a fluoride treatment performed by a dentist might help you reverse the damage.
Tooth filling:
Fillings are used to fix small fractures and cavities in the teeth. A dentist removes decaying material from a tooth before filling it with silver, gold, or composite resins, depending on your desire.
Dental crowns and bridges:
If you have a tooth that has a root canal, is fractured, or has deteriorated, porcelain crowns are the ideal solution to reinforce the tooth structure and restore your attractive smile. If you have a lost tooth, though, your Texas dentist will replace it with a porcelain bridge. Dental bridges are a long-lasting solution for repairing a lost tooth.
Root canal:
When a dental cavity causes the death of your nerves, you’ll require a root canal procedure to save your tooth. Your endodontic specialist will remove any decaying areas of your tooth, check for infections, provide treatment, and lastly fill and seal your tooth.
Can a Cavity Re-occur?
Unfortunately, even after a cavity has been treated, a tooth can develop a cavity again. The same causes that caused the initial cavity to form will continue to harm the same tooth if food habits, house hygiene, or medicines are not modified. Plaque, in addition to developing a new cavity, can also disrupt the seal between the new filling and the tooth, resulting in a new cavity just under the filling. This can have disastrous consequences.
Tips to prevent cavities
There are some things you can do to prevent or slow down the formation of cavities. Some things you can do include:
Brush at least twice a day
Stay hydrated
Floss daily
Learn proper brushing and flossing techniques
Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash
Consume sugary or acidic foods in moderation
Schedule a professional dental cleaning and checkup every four to six months
Follow through with all recommended dental treatment
Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.
Can a black cavity be saved?
Are cavity fillings covered by insurance?
Are cavities too big for fillings?