Can tooth decay spread to other teeth?

Cavities can't spread to other teeth, but they certainly have an impact on the rest of your mouth. First of all, the conditions that create a cavity on one tooth certainly can develop into cavities on your other teeth.
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How do you stop tooth decay from spreading?

Ask your dentist which tips are best for you.
  1. Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. ...
  2. Rinse your mouth. ...
  3. Visit your dentist regularly. ...
  4. Consider dental sealants. ...
  5. Drink some tap water. ...
  6. Avoid frequent snacking and sipping. ...
  7. Eat tooth-healthy foods. ...
  8. Consider fluoride treatments.
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Can an infected tooth spread to other teeth?

When you have a toothache, it can make you miserable. It's usually the first sign of a tooth infection. It's best to see your dentist right away. The longer you wait, the more time the infection has to spread to other teeth and tissue.
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What happens if tooth decay spreads?

But if it gets worse it can lead to problems, such as a hole forming in the tooth (dental cavity). If you have a hole in your tooth you may have: toothache (tooth pain) sharp pain in your tooth when eating or drinking hot, cold or sweet things (sensitive teeth)
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How long does it take for a cavity to spread to other teeth?

It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily.
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Can a cavity spread from one tooth to another tooth



Can one tooth affect other teeth?

First of all, the conditions that create a cavity on one tooth certainly can develop into cavities on your other teeth. In situations in which a cavity forms, is left untreated, and your tooth becomes infected, this infection can spread to surrounding teeth.
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Can a cavity go away with brushing?

Fortunately, the beginning stages of a cavity can be reversed by taking steps toward good oral hygiene. During early demineralization, exposure to fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleanings can all help prevent — or even reverse — tooth decay.
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How do I know if my tooth infection is spreading?

If you have a fever and swelling in your face and you can't reach your dentist, go to an emergency room. Also go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. These symptoms may indicate that the infection has spread deeper into your jaw and surrounding tissue or even to other areas of your body.
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How do you stop tooth decay from spreading naturally?

The following home remedies might help prevent cavities or treat “pre-cavities” by remineralizing weakened areas of your enamel before a cavity develops:
  1. Sugar-free gum. ...
  2. Vitamin D. ...
  3. Brush with fluoride toothpaste. ...
  4. Cut out sugary foods. ...
  5. Oil pulling. ...
  6. Licorice root.
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Do fillings stop decay?

In short, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities because a dentist tends to want to remove the decayed part (the cavity) and fill it to stop any further damage from occurring.
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Can tooth pain radiate to a different tooth?

Untreated cavities may become larger, extending into the deeper structures of the tooth and possibly into the tooth's pulp or nerve. This can cause pain that may radiate to other teeth or up the jaw.
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Can pain from one tooth spread to another?

Your toothache moves from one tooth to another through pain signals, but the discomfort usually goes away within one or two weeks. As noted by Mayo Clinic, a tooth abscess can cause referred pain. For example, if you have an abscess in an upper tooth, pain can radiate to the lower jaw and even to your ears and neck.
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Can tooth decay spread to gums?

Tooth decay can occur when acid is produced from plaque, which builds up on your teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up, it can lead to further problems, such as dental caries (holes in the teeth), gum disease or dental abscesses, which are collections of pus at the end of the teeth or in the gums.
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Can I wait 6 months to fill a cavity?

Every Cavity Is Different

Some people have softer tooth enamel than others, making it easier for bacteria or acid to penetrate the tooth. On average, as a broad timeline, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment.
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Can I reverse tooth decay?

But as of yet, it's physically impossible. Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside of it, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on your own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to the bacterial infection inside of the tooth structure.
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Can rotten front teeth be fixed?

The most common treatments for tooth decay is fillings. If the decay has caused a cavity in your tooth then you will need a filling. This involves removing the decay from the tooth and rebuilding the tooth using tooth-coloured composite resin fillings.
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Is there a toothpaste that heals cavities?

Conclusion. If you're looking for a powerful fluoride-free option for healing and preventing cavities in your family, hydroxyapatite toothpaste is for you. HAp toothpaste is a safe, non-toxic product that not only heals and prevents cavities but also makes your teeth whiter and “glossier.”
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Why do my teeth decay so easily?

Dry Mouth – Saliva not only washes away plaque and bacteria, it neutralizes the acids that can attack your teeth. Without it, you're much more likely to decay. Genetics – From a genetic standpoint, some people are more susceptible to the strain of bacteria that cause cavities.
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What does tooth decay look like?

Cavities vary greatly in appearance. In general, however, they appear as small holes, chips or dark spots on teeth. The holes can be as small as dots or as large as the entire tooth. Sometimes they look brown, yellow or black.
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Which tooth is connected to the brain?

Wisdom teeth, on the other hand, connect to the central nervous system, heart, liver, and intestines. They can also signal high blood pressure, eczema, headache, liver disease, pain in the extremities, and cardiovascular disease.
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What happens if you swallow a rotten tooth?

Poisoning in the bloodstream. Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it's swallowed along with saliva.
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Can a tooth infection go to your brain?

If you have a tooth abscess you could develop meningitis. This life-threatening condition occurs when the membranes near the spinal cord and the brain become inflamed. This bacterial infection could spread to the bloodstream and surround your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis could require extensive hospitalization.
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Why are my teeth rotting even though I brush?

There are several reasons as to why your teeth are bad even after brushing them. Some of the most common causes include: not using the right toothpaste, not flossing, brushing too hard, and not brushing your teeth for a long enough time.
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When does a cavity start hurting?

Typically, you will have pain when you have a cavity that's been untreated. If you get a toothache, it's time to see the dentist. Don't put it off. In the early stages of cavities, you might feel pain when you bite down on something you eat like a piece of candy.
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Can a cavity stop growing?

Cavities don't go away on their own. Cavities slowly expand to the point where they can move into the pulp and pulp chamber of your tooth, causing you pain – which could eventually lead to needing a root canal. Therefore, try to get to the dentist as soon as you notice a cavity.
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