Tooth decay, or dental caries, is one of the most common dental concerns and can affect anyone, at any age. Even with good oral hygiene habits, it’s still possible to develop decay (such as tooth cavities) on one or more teeth. If tooth decay is left untreated, it could possibly lead to pain, infection, and eventually the loss of the tooth.

At Oasis Dental Studio, we help patients prevent, detect, and treat tooth decay at every stage. Whether you’ve noticed a small spot on your tooth, feel sensitivity when eating or drinking, or are simply overdue for a check-up, our experienced dentists can assess your teeth and provide the care you need.

Keep reading to learn about what tooth decay is, what causes it, the symptoms to watch out for, how it’s treated, and most importantly, how to prevent it in the first place.

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay (also known as dental caries) can occur when acids in your mouth wear away the outer surface of your tooth (enamel) and eventually create a hole (tooth cavities).

Your teeth are protected by strong enamel, but the enamel is, of course, not entirely indestructible. Every time you eat or drink something containing sugar or starch, the bacteria in your mouth feed on those sugars and produce acid as a by-product. These acids soften and erode your enamel over time, in a process called demineralisation.

If this process happens faster than your saliva can repair the damage, tiny weak spots form in the enamel. Over time, these spots can grow into cavities, exposing the softer dentine beneath. When the decay reaches the inner part of the tooth (which is called the pulp), it can cause infection, abscesses, and sometimes quite significant pain.

Tooth decay can develop slowly over months or years, but in some cases, especially in children and people with dry mouth, it can possibly progress faster. How fast it progresses can differ quite significantly from person to person, which is one of the many reasons that it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible if tooth decay has occurred.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Generally speaking, there’s not always necessarily a single cause of tooth decay. Instead, it often occurs when a combination of factors come together.

Plaque and Bacteria

Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, certain bacteria thrive on sugars and starches in food and form a sticky film called plaque. Plaque tends to cling to teeth and produces acids, which attack your enamel.

Diet High in Sugar and Starch

Frequent consumption of sugary drinks, sweets, biscuits, bread, crackers, and other carbohydrates can encourage the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids.

Inadequate Oral Hygiene

If you don’t brush twice a day and floss daily, plaque has more opportunity to build up and harden into tartar (calculus), which is much harder to remove.

Dry Mouth

Saliva helps wash away food particles, neutralise acids, and repair early enamel damage. If you have a dry mouth, whether it be from certain medications, dehydration, or medical conditions, your risk of decay may be increased.

Other Possible Factors

Other possible factors like crowded teeth, poorly fitting fillings, and acid reflux may also make some people more prone to tooth decay than others.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Dental caries doesn’t always cause pain, especially in its early stages, which is why regular dental check-ups are so important.

You might not notice anything at first, but as decay progresses, you may experience:

White or brown spots on the surface of your tooth
Sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks
Pain when biting down
Toothache or spontaneous pain that comes and goes
A visible hole or pit in your tooth
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
Swelling or pus if the tooth becomes infected

If you notice any of these signs, we highly recommend seeing your dentist as soon as possible. Even a small cavity can grow quickly if left untreated, so the sooner it’s treated, the easier it often can be it is to treat.

For Possible Advanced Stages of Tooth Decay

When decay progresses to the pulp of the tooth, it can cause a dental abscess, which is a pocket of pus caused by infection. This can be very painful and may be accompanied by swelling, fever, or difficulty opening your mouth.

Left untreated, an abscess can lead to serious infections that spread beyond the tooth and can affect your general health. If you suspect an abscess, please contact your dentist urgently. Our experienced dentists can offer emergency dental care at Oasis.

Why Tooth Decay Needs Treatment

Unlike other parts of your body, enamel cannot regenerate once it’s been lost. If tooth cavities are left untreated, the dental caries can continue to spread through the tooth, causing increasing pain and damage.
Untreated decay can lead to:

Large cavities and significant tooth structure loss
Infection of the tooth pulp
Dental abscesses (painful infections that can spread to other areas)
Tooth loss
The need for more extensive treatment, such as root canal therapy or extraction

Prompt treatment not only saves your tooth but also helps you avoid unnecessary pain and further discomfort.

How Tooth Decay is Treated

The right treatment for tooth decay can depend on the cause, how far it has progressed and factors like your general oral health.

At Oasis, our experienced dentists will perform a thorough assessment, analysing the condition of your teeth and making sure that the right treatment method can be selected. During your appointment, we will talk you through each of your options and explain what to expect.

As well as making sure that you receive the right treatment, we also have a focus on patient education – if you feel that you need advice on how to care for your teeth in the longer term, our dentists can provide you with personalised oral hygiene advice.

Remineralisation for Early Decay

If decay is caught very early, before any tooth cavities have actually formed, it may be possible to stop or even reverse it. This is called remineralisation, and it involves strengthening the enamel using fluoride and improving oral hygiene.

Your dentist may recommend fluoride varnish or gels, fluoride toothpaste, and give you advice on reducing sugar and improving dental hygiene habits.

Dental Fillings

If a cavity has formed, your dentist may need to remove the decayed material and fill the space with a dental filling. Fillings help to restore the shape and strength of the tooth and prevent further decay.

Dental Inlays or Onlays

For larger cavities that are too large for a standard filling but don’t require a crown, an inlay or onlay may be used. These are custom-made restorations that fit into or onto the damaged tooth.

Dental Crowns

If the tooth is severely weakened by decay, a dental crown (a cap that covers the entire tooth) may be the best option. This protects the remaining tooth structure and restores function and appearance.

Root Canal Therapy

If decay has reached the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, a root canal may be needed. This involves cleaning out the infected tissue, disinfecting the inside of the tooth, and sealing it. A crown is often placed afterwards for strength.

Tooth Extraction

In rare cases where the tooth is too damaged to save, extraction may be necessary. Our dentists will always discuss replacement options, such as dental implants or bridges, if this happens.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

While tooth decay can affect anyone, it can also be preventable. A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference to your oral health.

Brush and Floss Every Day
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, making sure to clean every surface of every tooth. Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular check-ups and professional cleans allow us to detect early signs of decay and remove hardened tartar that you can’t get rid of at home. Your dentist can also offer personalised advice and information on any suitable preventive treatments.
Limit Sugary Foods
Try to cut down on sugary snacks and drinks. If you do have something sweet, you can rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water helps wash away food particles and keeps your mouth hydrated. If you live in an area with fluoridated tap water, that can also help protect your teeth.
Protect Your Teeth if You Have Dry Mouth
If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may recommend saliva substitutes, specially-designed mouthwashes, or sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva flow.

Tooth Decay in Children

Children are particularly vulnerable to tooth decay, as their enamel is thinner and they may not yet have good brushing habits. Baby teeth are just as important to care for as adult teeth, as they help with eating, speaking, and guiding permanent teeth into place.

To help prevent tooth decay in children:

Supervise brushing and use a fluoride toothpaste appropriate for their age
Encourage healthy snacks and limit sugary treats
Take your child to the dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears

At Oasis, we have an experienced paediatric dentist who prioritises care and comfort. We understand that dental appointments can be daunting for children and adolescents, so we will make sure to make the experience as positive as possible.

We offer a wide variety of children’s dentistry services, from general check-ups and cleanings to children’s orthodontic treatments.

Please feel free to get in touch with our team to learn more about our paediatric dentistry treatments.

When to See a Dentist

Even if you’re not experiencing pain, regular dental visits are the best way to prevent decay and catch it early. However, you should book an appointment as soon as possible if you notice:

Pain or sensitivity in a tooth
Visible holes or dark spots
Chipped or rough edges
Swelling or pus around a tooth or gum
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth

If you have severe pain, swelling, or fever, please contact us straight away as you may need emergency treatment.

As well as general, cosmetic and paediatric dentistry, we also offer emergency dental care at Oasis. If you’re experiencing these significant symptoms or you feel that your symptoms may be worsening, please do not hesitate to contact our team.

Dental emergencies should be seen to as soon as possible to make sure that you receive the right treatment, as well as to prevent any issues from becoming worse.

We aim to keep a flexible schedule at our locations to make sure that we accommodate your dental emergency as much as we can. Our experienced and empathetic emergency dentists will aim to make you feel comfortable throughout your appointment, especially if you are experiencing significant pain.

Please reach out to our team in the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne or Pottsville to learn more about our emergency dentistry services.

Why Choose Oasis Dental Studio?

At Oasis Dental Studio, not only are we passionate about providing our patients with the treatment that you need, we care about ensuring that you have the skills to prevent dental issues.

That’s why we take the time to educate our patients on good oral hygiene and early warning signs of decay. Our experienced dentists focus on comprehensive care, ensuring that you know how to continue to care for your teeth after your appointment.

If you’re concerned about a cavity, tooth pain, or just want a check-up, we’re here to help. With locations on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Pottsville, our team of dentists will do their best to accommodate your needs.

Our team includes general dentists, cosmetic dentists, a paediatric dentist and emergency dentists, so that we can provide you with the care you need across all aspects of your dental health.

Please get in touch with our team to book your appointment or learn more about the services or treatments that we can offer.

Tooth Decay: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatments