The Progression of Dental Disease: What’s Going on Inside Your Mouth

If you’ve ever had a cavity, you’ve had dental disease. In fact, if you haven’t had a cavity, you’re among the minority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 90% of adults aged 20 or older, have had at least one cavity in their lifetime.

So, what is happening inside your mouth when you experience dental disease? Terry L. Norris, DMD, the lead consulting dentist for HRI Dental & Vision, offers advice on how to prevent and treat the problem.

Dental Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

The first stage of dental disease is typically tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when the enamel, the hard-protective layer on the outside of your teeth, is slowly broken down by the acid that bacteria inside your mouth excrete. The bacteria reside in plaque that sticks to the teeth and is not removed by brushing and flossing. If not properly managed and treated, tooth decay can lead to cavities and gum disease, and end up hurting your mouth and your wallet.

Cavities

Cavities may initially appear as a brown spot on a tooth. As decay progresses, a hole will form. The only way to treat a cavity is to have a filling inserted by a dentist. If a filling is not placed, the decay will continue, resulting in damage to the soft structure inside of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. At this point, a root canal will be necessary to repair the tooth. 

To fill a small, surface cavity that is caught in the early stages may cost around $200 without insurance according to Dr. Norris. If not found or treated, the decay will grow, eventually resulting in a root canal and crown. To treat this larger problem, the patient will now have to pay upwards of $1,000 to $2,000 to receive the treatment they need.

Gum Disease

Gum disease causes red, swollen and possibly painful gums. Eventually, your gums begin to deteriorate which exposes more of your tooth and results in bone loss. “Gum disease is reversible if discovered in the early stages and treated properly,” shares Dr. Norris. “If not treated, it can become very severe, to the point where tooth loss and infection may occur.”

Gum disease, if caught early enough, can be treated with conservative measures such as routine dental cleanings, proper brushing/oral hygiene and antibiotics. However, if gum disease is not properly treated in the early stages, it can result in much more involved and expensive treatments. “These treatments typically cost thousands of dollars without insurance and your mouth will require a lifetime of monitoring to keep the teeth,” Dr. Norris explains.

How To Prevent Dental Disease

“The most common cause of tooth decay and gum disease is neglecting proper oral health and hygiene -- plain and simple,” Dr. Norris shares.

Take up these three preventive oral maintenance habits to deal with dental disease before it becomes a bigger problem:

1. Brush at least three times a day and floss daily. Make sure you’re using fluoridated toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval. “The consumption of sugary foods will not damage the teeth if brushing and flossing are completed within 20 minutes,” shares Dr. Norris. “So, make sure that you’re brushing within 20 minutes after eating.”
2. Eat a low-fat, low-carb diet with limited sugar. This is best for your oral health and your overall well-being.
3. Go to the dentist every six months for preventive cleanings. This can not only save you money but also prevent problems before they occur.

“Many times, the dentist is placed in the role of a miracle worker. A patient may ask, ‘My tooth broke six months ago and never started hurting until last night; can you fix it?’,” Dr. Norris shares. “To that I ask, ‘When your check engine light comes on do you wait until a grinding noise starts? When the fan belt begins to squeak, do you wait for the car to overheat on the side of the road before having it fixed?’”

Regularly visiting the dentist for preventive cleanings and scheduling an appointment when you injure a tooth or notice a small toothache will save you a lot of pain, time and money in the long run. Treat the problem when it’s small – don’t wait until your dental issue is an emergency to seek treatment.