Once a cavity has formed, brushing your teeth cannot make it disappear. While brushing plays a significant role in preventing cavities from developing, it cannot reverse the physical damage or “hole” in the tooth structure that defines a cavity. Brushing is a preventive measure, not a restorative treatment for existing decay.
Understanding Cavities
A cavity is a permanently damaged area on a tooth’s surface that develops into a tiny hole. This damage begins with demineralization, where minerals are lost from the tooth enamel, the hard outer layer. Bacteria in the mouth, particularly Streptococcus mutans, play a major role.
These bacteria feed on sugars from foods and drinks, converting them into acids. This acidic environment lowers the pH in the mouth, dissolving minerals from the tooth enamel. As demineralization continues, the enamel weakens, and a cavity forms.
The Limits of Brushing
Brushing removes plaque and food particles from tooth surfaces, preventing bacteria accumulation and subsequent acid attacks. This action stops initial demineralization and can help remineralize early enamel lesions, where minerals are redeposited. Fluoride, often found in toothpaste, aids this remineralization by strengthening enamel and making it more acid-resistant.
However, once a cavity has progressed beyond early demineralization and a hole has formed in the enamel or deeper into the dentin, brushing alone cannot rebuild the tooth structure. Tooth enamel, unlike other parts of the body, does not contain living cells that can regenerate or heal themselves. While good oral hygiene can slow the progression of a small cavity, it will not reverse it.
Professional Cavity Treatment
When a cavity forms, professional dental intervention is necessary to remove decayed tissue and restore the tooth’s structure. The most common treatment for cavities is a dental filling. During this procedure, the dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth, often using a drill, and then fills the prepared space with a restorative material.
Filling materials include composite resin (tooth-colored), amalgam (silver-colored), porcelain, or gold. For more extensive damage, a dental crown may be recommended. A crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and appearance. If decay reaches the tooth’s innermost pulp, causing infection, a root canal procedure is performed. This involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and disinfecting the tooth’s inside, then filling and sealing it. If a tooth is too severely damaged to be saved, extraction may be the only option.