{"id":20653,"date":"2022-06-12T07:56:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-12T02:26:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/?p=20653"},"modified":"2025-05-29T15:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T10:12:17","slug":"what-are-the-stages-of-a-tooth-decay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/what-are-the-stages-of-a-tooth-decay\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the stages of a tooth decay?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among adults and children. According to the World Health Organization, dental caries (cavities) is the most common non-contagious disease. In fact, the majority of adults have experienced some degree of tooth decay in their lives. There\u2019s no way to completely prevent it from occurring, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. To help you understand how tooth decay develops and what actions you should take if you think you\u2019re at risk, here is a breakdown of the five stages of tooth decay and how you can treat each one differently to prevent damage to enamel.<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What is tooth decay?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tooth decay is a process in which bacteria break down the tooth\u2019s surface and create acid that damages tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth. If tooth enamel is damaged, tooth decay can progress to the tooth\u2019s dentin (the next layer under the enamel), which can eventually lead to tooth loss. The first sign of tooth decay is usually discoloration of the tooth surface. If left untreated, tooth decay can progress from surface damage to loss of tooth structure and lead to serious health problems, including tissue and bone loss, tooth loss, and systemic infections.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Stages of Tooth Decay<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tooth decay typically starts with the formation of plaque, a sticky film composed of bacteria, sugars, and minerals. Plaque can form on teeth<\/a> in as little as 20 minutes. When left alone, plaque can harden into tartar and cause cavities. Proper brushing and flossing can remove plague. However, tartar eliminated by a Dentist. If plaque and tartar aren\u2019t removed, they can cause tooth decay by releasing harmful acids that break down tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay. If tooth decay is left untreated, it can progress through five stages:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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