Destination Dentaire Explains the 5 Stages of Tooth Decay

LAVAL, Quebec - Aug. 11, 2021 - PRLog -- Tooth decay is damage that occurs to your tooth, leading to cavities, dental abscesses, or even tooth loss. It's caused by the activity of certain species of bacteria that can live in dental plaque. Destination Dentaire, the leading children's dentistry clinic, explains the 5 Stages of Tooth Decay and how you can prevent them.

Stage One: The Spot
The first stage of tooth decay is a white or yellow spot on the surface of your tooth. It is caused by a mineral deficiency due to plaque buildup. With proper care, a discolored area will go away without requiring a clinical procedure.

Stage Two: Minor Sensitivity
If a discolored spot remains untreated, it will lead to acidic plaque that will break down your enamel and make it soft and porous. This causes sensitivity and pain in the tooth. For such an early-stage cavity, your emergency dental care team is likely to recommend a dental filling.

State Three: Major Sensitivity
If you do not treat the cavity, bacteria can enter the surface beneath your enamel which is called dentin. It is a soft and more sensitive surface than your tooth enamel. When decay reaches this layer, you will experience pain while chewing and significant sensitivity, especially when you eat sweet or cold foods. Your dentist is most likely to recommend a substance feeling, or in some cases, a dental crown.

Stage Four: Painful Infection
If the infected dentin is not treated at the right time, the infection will travel to the center of your tooth, reaching the nerve at the root of your tooth. At this stage, you will experience extreme pain, and chewing might become challenging. To treat a root canal infection, your dentist will perform a root canal procedure to eliminate the infection.

Stage Five: Swollen Abscess
The final stage of tooth decay is the most serious — and the most painful. If a root canal infection is left to rot, it will lead to infection in other areas of your mouth, such as your gums, your jawbone, and even your tongue. It will require surgical attention and even a tooth extraction.

The spokesperson at Destination Dentaire commented, "Please remember that the earliest stage is often reversible, but allowing the infection to be spread can cause permanent damage to your tooth. Visiting your dentist at least once a year for checkups and oral cleaning can help prevent permanent damage to your tooth."

About Destination Dentaire:
Destination Dentaire offers emergency dentistry, general dentistry, family dentistry, dental cleaning, children's dentistry, and preventive dentistry. The dental clinic has more than five locations in Quebec. Contact us: https://www.destinationdentaire.ca/contact/