Cavities don't always hurt, and that's the problem. By the time you feel one, it's usually past the point where a simple filling handles it. Here's what we look for.
The most common thing we hear from patients who haven't been to the dentist in a few years: "But nothing hurts."
Pain is a late symptom of decay. By the time a cavity hurts, the bacteria have usually reached the dentin, the softer layer beneath enamel, or are approaching the pulp (nerve). At that point, a filling becomes a filling-plus-build-up, or a filling becomes a crown, or the tooth needs a root canal.
Early decay is silent. That's why regular exams matter.
How We Find Hidden Cavities
Digital X-rays: Decay between teeth, called interproximal decay, is invisible to the naked eye. Digital X-rays catch it early, often years before it becomes symptomatic. Our system uses 90% less radiation than traditional film.
Visual examination with magnification: Our loupes (dental magnifying glasses) show us surface changes in enamel that are invisible to the unaided eye, early demineralization, craze lines, suspicious staining.
Intraoral cameras: A live video feed of the inside of your mouth on a chairside screen. We can show you exactly what we're seeing, including suspicious areas. It turns an abstract diagnosis into visible reality.
Probing: A dental explorer assesses the hardness of tooth surfaces. Softness indicates demineralization, the first stage of decay, before a cavity technically forms. At this stage, fluoride treatment and improved home care can often reverse it without drilling.
The Decay Timeline
- Demineralization: Acid from bacteria begins to weaken enamel. Reversible with fluoride. No symptoms.
- Enamel cavity: Decay penetrates enamel. Small filling required. Usually no pain.
- Dentin cavity: Decay reaches dentin. Sensitivity to sweet, cold, or pressure may begin. Larger filling or build-up needed.
- Pulp involvement: Bacteria reach the nerve. Pain often begins, sometimes severe. Root canal required.
- Abscess: Infection spreads beyond the tooth. Swelling, acute pain, possible systemic spread. Emergency treatment.
Each stage is more expensive and more involved than the one before it. Catching decay at stage 1 or 2 costs a fraction of stage 4 or 5.
What You Can Do
Come in every 6 months. Not because we say so, because the decay timeline moves in months, not years, and 6-month intervals are where we reliably catch things at stages 1 and 2.
If it's been more than a year since your last exam, book now. Chances are everything is fine, and knowing that is worth the appointment.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute dental advice. Consult a qualified dentist for diagnosis and treatment.
