Cavity left untreated
An untreated cavity can progress from enamel into dentine and the pulp, causing pain, infection, tooth damage, or tooth loss.
The short answer
A cavity is a demineralised area caused by acids from bacterial plaque that can form a hole in enamel or dentine.
What is the direct answer?
What does this question mean?
Book an examination even without pain; treatment may be fluoride care, a filling, root canal treatment, or extraction depending on depth.
What can you do next?
Seek prompt care for spontaneous pain, lingering sensitivity, pain on biting, swelling, pus, fever, or a bad taste.
When should you seek dental care?
Ask how deep the lesion is, whether the pulp is involved, and which treatment preserves the tooth.
Frequently asked questions
Can home care solve this problem?
Home care can support oral hygiene and comfort, but persistent or worsening symptoms need cause-based dental assessment.
What happens at an appointment?
The dentist reviews the history, examines the mouth, and recommends targeted treatment or monitoring based on the finding.