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Tooth decay, sometimes also known as dental caries, is one of the most common conditions to affect both adults and children in the UK and can cause tooth cavities that require fillings or other dental treatment. Some people are at higher risk of developing decay than others and it’s commonly caused by plaque.
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth and if it isn’t removed by regular brushing and other oral hygiene techniques, tooth decay will follow.
The bacteria in plaque react with sugar in the foods and drinks we consume to produce acids. Over time, the acid in plaque can begin to breakdown the hard outer-surface of the tooth (the enamel) to form a cavity. At this stage, you may not have any symptoms at all. If left untreated, the cavity can progress to the deeper, softer layer of the tooth (dentine). At this stage, you may experience sensitivity to hot and cold when eating and drinking. Finally, decay can then expose the nerves (the pulp) inside a tooth. Exposure of the pulp to bacteria may cause a dental abscess, which can be very painful.
The symptoms or signs of tooth decay can vary somewhat, depending on the extent and severity of the issue. Often the first sign people notice is a sensitivity to hot or cold food or drink. If you have severe tooth decay, you’re likely to experience pain and potentially abscesses.
Tooth decay pain is likely to be more noticeable when eating or drinking, but can also show itself through chronic toothache, with pain that comes and goes persistently and gets worse over time if not treated.
The symptoms of tooth decay under a filling or crown are likely to be similar, with sensitivity and pain being the most likely signs that bacteria has been able to enter the tooth again and create a new cavity under the filling or crown.
In severe cases, tooth decay can weaken teeth to the point that they may crack or fragment.
Tooth decay treatment usually involves a filling, root canal treatment or extraction of the affected tooth or teeth. The treatment you will need will depend on the extent of the dental decay you have and your dentist should talk through treatment options with you.
Tooth decay removal in the form of a filling means that the decayed part of the tooth must be removed, usually by drilling, and a filling will replace it. If this is not viable, due to the extent of the dental tooth decay, then root canal treatment or extraction might be the only options left available to you.
Whilst there are no different types of dental decay as such, tooth decay can form on and in different areas of the teeth, including:
The length of time it takes for tooth decay to progress to a stage where a cavity is formed and treatment is required will vary from case to case, as the conditions in people’s mouths changes frequently.
The progression of the decay is affected very much by oral hygiene practices. Someone with very early tooth decay could take many months or even years before they need a filling. However, as decay is permanent, it’s important to take action and not let decay progress to this point whenever possible.
Once the decay has advanced, it sometimes requires a filling to treat the cavity and ensure that the tooth is not further damaged. However, if the decay has advanced beyond the point that this is possible, it can mean that teeth might need root canal treatment, crowns to be fitted, or even for teeth to be extracted altogether.
The best way to stop tooth decay from progressing any further is to practice good oral hygiene. Using a fluoride toothpaste when brushing twice a day, along with reducing sugar in your diet, can make a big difference to the progression of dental decay.
If you already have tooth decay that requires treatment like a filling, root canal procedure or extraction, ensuring that you follow this treatment with good oral hygiene practices and a low-sugar diet can help to minimise the chances of experiencing tooth decay again in the future.
If your dentist has been negligent in your care regarding tooth decay, and this results in pain, suffering or financial loss, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
If you have tooth decay that has not been correctly diagnosed or effectively treated by your dentist, despite regular visits, the problem can progress to a stage where you need to have restorative dental treatment, or you may even have teeth that cannot be saved and require extraction.
It might be that your dentist missed a cavity on several visits, which resulted in the problem getting much worse, or it could be that your dentist missed tooth decay altogether, meaning that you were not treated when you should have been, and this made your condition worse.
Another instance where you might be able to claim compensation is if your dentist didn’t fill the cavity correctly when originally treating your tooth decay and was negligent with your care. If this has meant that you’ve experienced recurrent decay under fillings and required more restorative treatment, which would have been avoidable if there was no negligence originally, you might be able to make a claim.
The compensation that you may be awarded, if your claim is successful, will depend on the individual circumstances of your case and the extent to which you have suffered as a result of your dentist’s negligence. If your claim goes to court and is successful, the judge will decide on the compensation amount to be paid. However, most dental negligence cases are settled before they reach this point. Your legal representatives should discuss the various options with you at every stage of your claim, to help you get the most positive outcome possible.
If you think that you might be eligible to make a dental negligence claim because your dentist didn’t properly diagnose or treat your tooth decay, the first thing you should do is speak to legal experts to find out if your claim might be valid. You can find out what your options are and find out how to proceed with a claim. You can see more about the process of making a dental negligence claim here.
If the problem becomes severe, you might experience symptoms that interfere with your usual daily activities, making chewing and eating difficult, causing dental abscesses, or even causing you to lose teeth entirely.
