Cavity vs Tooth Decay: Difference and Comparison

Is there a difference between a cavity vs a tooth decay? Is tooth decay and cavity describing the same thing?

Generally, tooth decay and cavities are often used interchangeably. Tooth decay or dental caries is an oral disease caused by acid-producing bacteria.

Tooth decay and cavities describe two separate things. Tooth decay occurs because of the presence of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth. This causes a hole to develop in the affected area and progressively becomes larger over time if left untreated.

The hole that develops in the affected tooth is the cavity. There are several dental procedures to treat tooth decay such as dental fillings, crowns, or root canal treatment.

But what causes tooth decay in the first place and how do cavities develop in an affected tooth?

What Is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay or dental caries is an oral disease that causes your tooth enamel to erode. Tooth decay is likely to occur in persons who hardly maintain good oral hygiene.

Lack of regular brushing or flossing will cause acid-producing bacteria to erode your tooth enamel. Dental plaque is essential to the tooth decay process because it protects the bacteria in the mouth.

For a person who hardly uses a toothbrush, plaque will cover the surface of the teeth. Plaque will start to build up in your teeth if they are not cleaned regularly.

If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to dental cavities over time. It usually starts with a small opening like a tiny white spot and progressively becomes larger.

This is because of the presence of acid-producing bacteria destroying the surface of the tooth.

Tooth decay is an oral disease that is preventable and reversible. It can be treated using procedures such as dental fillings, crowns, or root canal treatment.

Fillings are designed for minor tooth decay, while root canal treatment is the procedure to repair severely damaged teeth.

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What Is a Cavity?

Tooth decay is what happens when your tooth starts to decay, creating a soft area or hole. The hole formed in a decayed tooth is called a cavity.

Dental cavities are likely to form in the molars or close to the spot where the teeth meet the gum.

Once there is a presence of decay, you will likely experience sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and unusual pain. If you notice you have tooth decay, it’s important you visit a dentist to avoid any further damage.

Dental filling is one of the most common ways to treat tooth decay. If the damage is very severe, your dentist may recommend dental crowns or root canal treatment.

Cavity vs Tooth Decay: Symptoms of Tooth Decay and Cavities

Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and toothache is a common sign that indicates the presence of tooth decay. Chewing and biting may cause unusual pain.

Another sign you need to look out for is tiny openings in your tooth. It may appear small like a tiny white spot but will become larger with a darker colour over time.

If you have noticed any of these happening to you, then it’s a sign indicating tooth decay. Visit your dentist to get a quick examination and if it happens to be tooth decay, early treatment is the best option to prevent any further damage.

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Cavity vs Tooth Decay: How Tooth Decay Leads to Cavities

The human teeth are designed to protect itself. The enamel surrounding the teeth is the most resilient substance produced by the human body.

It becomes weakened over time due to the presence of acid-producing bacteria formed in the mouth. Your tooth’s enamel will erode because of the bacteria that form the plaque and tartar.

Once the tooth’s enamel is weakened by organic acids, oral bacteria will easily get past it to infect the tooth’s main structure. The infection becomes widespread and erodes the tooth structure, which causes a cavity to develop in the affected tooth.

Cavity vs Tooth Decay: Treatment Option for Tooth Decay and Cavities

A dentist will recommend a specific dental procedure based on the severity of tooth decay.

Your dentist may use fluoride treatment to repair and restore the enamel at the early stages of tooth decay. This procedure can reverse the cavity if it’s not that bad.

Dental filling is the next option if the cavity is already becoming larger. In serious tooth cases, the best dental procedure to repair a damaged or decayed tooth is root canal treatment or crowns.

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Cavity vs Tooth Decay: How to Prevent Tooth Decay and Cavities

Practising good oral hygiene is a good start to prevent tooth decay and cavities. It’s important to brush and floss regularly each day: brushing twice a day and flossing once a day will prevent tooth decay and cavities.

Also, you need to watch how you consume sugary foods and beverages. Check out these few tips listed below to help prevent tooth decay or cavities;

Reduce your consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
Make sure you brush at least twice a day and also floss once a day
Use a fluoride toothpaste. It helps to strengthen your teeth and also prevent cavities.
Use mouthwash that contains fluoride and antibacterial ingredients. This will reduce plaque and germs in your mouth.
Visit your dentist regularly, at least once every six months.

Cavity vs Tooth Decay: Risk Factors

Let’s explore some of the factors that can increase the risk of getting cavities.

Certain Food and Beverages

Eating foods that cling to your teeth for longer period increase the risk of getting cavities. It’s best to rinse your mouth after eating foods like cakes, ice cream, hard candy and mints, chips, cereal, soda, milk, honey, and dried fruit.

These types of foods are not easily washed away by saliva and they are more likely to cause tooth decay.

Tooth Location

Tooth decay usually occurs in the back teeth like the molars and premolars. Premolars and molars have crannies, pits and several roots that collect food particles.

Cleaning the premolars and molars can be a bit difficult and this can cause bacteria to form in your mouth.

Frequent Snacking or Sipping

Consuming sugary and acidic foods increases the risk of tooth decay. Snacking and sipping sugary drinks more often enable the bacteria in your mouth to produce more acids.

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Inadequate Brushing

Brushing your teeth regularly and twice a day may not be enough to prevent tooth decay.

You can also brush your teeth after eating or drinking a dark-coloured soda. If you don’t, plaque will form quickly and it may be the start of the first stages of decay.

Not Getting Enough Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can prevent cavities. Also, it can reverse the earliest stages of tooth decay.

This is why it’s recommended you use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride.

Worn Fittings or Dental Device

Dental fittings are designed to repair or restore decayed teeth. These fittings can become weakened over the years with rough edges.

This can cause plaque to form easily and it may be difficult to remove.

Conclusion

Tooth decay or dental caries is an oral disease that causes your tooth enamel to erode. Tooth decay is likely to occur in persons who hardly maintain good oral hygiene.

Tooth decay occurs because of the presence of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth, while a cavity is a hole that develops in the affected tooth.

We hope this article on cavity vs tooth decay was helpful.

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References

Mayoclinic: Cavities/tooth decay
Austinprostheticdental: What’s the Difference Between Tooth Decay and Cavities?
Acpediatricdentistry: Tooth Decay vs Cavity
Evdp.net: Differences Between Tooth Decay and Cavities
Healthline: The Stages of Tooth Decay: What They Look Like
Medicalnewstoday: What is tooth decay?