Tooth decay (medically known as dental caries) is a very common medical condition involving bacterial invasion of the tooth. Decay is commonly known as a cavity because the bacteria destroys part of the tooth creating a “cavity” or hole in the tooth. 

 

 

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Cavities tend to occur more frequently in children due to poor oral hygiene and a diet high in sugar.  Cavities begin on the outside of the tooth and then progress inward. A tooth consists of an outer hard layer called enamel beneath which is a softer portion of the tooth known as dentin.  Both the enamel and dentin surround the dental pulp, which contains the nerve of the tooth.  If the decay has only slightly penetrated the enamel, sometimes it can be reversed and cured with proper oral hygiene and an improved diet with less sugar.  If the decay has progressed deep into the enamel or into the dentin, then the cavity will need to be filled. To remove the decay, a dentist will first give you an injection to numb the tooth.  Then the dentist will use a handpiece (aka “drill”) to remove all of the decay from the tooth.  Finally, the dentist will place a filling to fill in the hole in the tooth where the decay was removed from. 

 

If the tooth decay progresses through the dentin and into the pulp, the tooth becomes infected.  In many instances once the tooth is infected, an abscess may form on the gum tissue above or below the tooth. Once a tooth is infected there are generally only two treatment options, a root canal or a tooth extraction.  A root canal procedure consists of removing the nerve of the tooth, irrigating it with an antiseptic and filling the nerve canal so that bacteria can no longer pass into the tooth.  Usually when a tooth is extracted the infection leaves the body with the tooth, but if the infection is serious, antibiotics may be prescribed in conjunction with the 

tooth extraction. 

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An infected tooth is a serious condition. If you are experiencing the symptoms of an infected tooth, please call us at South Kansas City Emergency Dental at 816-601-1817.  Dr. Rob Davis focuses on relieving the pain from toothaches, .