Is tooth decay cavities?
I've always used the terms 'tooth decay' and 'cavities' interchangeably. Are they really the same thing, or is there a difference between tooth decay and cavities?
5 answers
7 months ago
Most liked
Yes, tooth decay is the process that eventually leads to cavities or holes in your teeth. You can try oil pulling with sesame oil to keep your mouth clean, but if you have sharp pain or a visible black spot, please see a dentist before it reaches the nerve.
5 months ago
They are basically different stages of the same problem. Decay is the damage starting, and cavities are the actual holes that form.
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yrs exp
7 months ago
Yes, they are pretty much the same thing in everyday language! Decay is the damage happening, and the cavity is the tiny hole it leaves behind. Don't stress too much, just get it checked and filled by a dentist soon!
7 months ago
I ignored minor tooth decay in my youth thinking it was nothing, and ended up needing a root canal later. Cavities are just the advanced stage of decay. Don't worry, a simple filling on time can easily save your tooth.
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4 months ago
I recently visited my dentist at Max Dental, and he explained this clearly. Tooth decay is the disease process, while a cavity is the physical damage or hole caused by that decay. It is best to get an X-ray to see how deep it is.