12/05/2026
Did you know that a cavity usually starts as a small area of damage on the outer layer of the tooth called the enamel. At this stage, many people may not even feel pain. As the cavity grows deeper into the next layer called dentin, the tooth may become sensitive to cold drinks, sweet foods or biting. The good news is that cavities limited to the enamel or dentin can be cleaned and repaired with a simple filling. Once the damaged part is removed and the tooth is restored, the discomfort usually disappears and the tooth can continue functioning normally.
Problems begin when the cavity is ignored for too long. The decay can eventually reach the pulp which is the soft inner part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. This is when toothaches often become severe, throbbing or keep people awake at night. In some cases, the pain may suddenly stop. You might have experienced this before. It stops not because the tooth has healed but because the nerve inside has been damaged. At this stage, the infection can spread beyond the tooth and can cause swelling, pus formation, difficulty chewing or even swelling of the face
When decay reaches the pulp, a simple filling is usually no longer enough. The tooth may require alternatives like root canal treatment to remove the infected nerve and save the tooth. If the damage is too extensive extraction may be recommended.
For this reason, early dental visits can help prevent all this and save both the tooth and the cost of more complicated treatment later on.