How fast does tooth decay develop?
Three stages from a white spot to an inflamed nerve, the habits that speed up decay and the chance to stop it without drilling.
AuthorDr. Fidan HasanzadePaediatric dentist, treatment under sedation
How fast does tooth decay develop? Faster than you think. In children, the enamel of baby teeth is thinner than in adults. That is why decay can sometimes turn from a white spot into a deep cavity in just a few months.
Three stages
- White spot. The enamel begins to lose minerals and the child feels no discomfort. At this stage decay can often be stopped without drilling the tooth.
- Cavity. The tooth may be sensitive to sweet, cold or hot food, but decay often still develops without pain.
- Inflamed nerve. Severe pain develops that gets worse at night. At this stage treatment is more complex and extensive.
What speeds up decay
- Frequent sweets and sugary drinks during the day
- Falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice
- Skipped brushing, especially before bed
- Not using fluoride toothpaste
What we do at an early stage
At the white-spot stage, fluoride varnish helps the enamel take up minerals again. Research shows that fluoride varnish noticeably lowers the risk of decay in children. Alongside this, we review brushing technique and eating habits together.
A tooth that does not hurt is not necessarily healthy.
A regular check-up every 3-6 months helps find decay at an early stage and protect the tooth.
Scientific sources
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific articles and international clinical guidelines.
- Pitts, N. B., Zero, D. T., Marsh, P. D., et al. (2017). Dental caries. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 3, 17030. [PMID: 28540937] | [DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.30]
- Marinho, V. C., Worthington, H. V., Walsh, T., & Clarkson, J. E. (2013). Fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(7), CD002279. [PMID: 23846772] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002279.pub2]
- Tinanoff, N., Baez, R. J., Diaz Guillory, C., et al. (2019). Early childhood caries epidemiology, aetiology, risk assessment, societal burden, management, education, and policy: Global perspective. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, 29(3), 238-248. [PMID: 31099128] | [DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12484]
- Smaïl-Faugeron, V., Glenny, A. M., Courson, F., et al. (2018). Pulp treatment for extensive decay in primary teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 5, CD003220. [PMID: 29852056] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003220.pub3]
