4 Stages of Tooth Decay: Tooth Sensitivity Explained

Tooth sensitivity can be an early sign of decay, and knowing when to seek help from an emergency dentist in London can make all the difference. Let’s break down each stage of tooth decay in a simple, friendly way, so you can understand what’s happening and what to do about it.

Stage 0: Hidden Decay Detected by the Dentist

At this stage, you won’t notice anything wrong—there are no obvious signs or pain. However, during a regular dental check-up, the dentist can spot small areas of decay that might not be visible to the naked eye. This is why regular visits to the dentist (twice a year is recommended!) are so important. If the dentist finds decay at this point, they can easily fix it with a quick and painless filling, costing very little compared to what it would if the decay worsens.

• Pain Level: 0/10
• Urgency: 1/10
• Treatment: A small filling
• Risks: Decay will get worse without treatment.

* Image shows the progression of tooth decay and why tooth sensitivity increases. Image by Wikipedia

Stage 1: Early Tooth Decay

This is when the decay is starting to show. You might see a small dark spot on your tooth or notice a slight change in colour. But don’t worry—there’s still no pain at this stage. If you visit the dentist now, they can fix it with a quick filling that can take less than 30 minutes! This is the best (and cheapest) time to treat tooth decay.

• Pain Level: 0/10
• Urgency: 3/10
• Treatment: A simple filling
• Risks: The decay will spread if ignored. It might take a few weeks or even a few months, but pain is on its way to you…

Stage 2: Tooth Decay Nearing the Root

At this stage, you might start to feel tooth sensitivity, especially when eating or drinking something hot or cold. This sensitivity is a warning sign that the decay is getting closer to the root of the tooth. The good news is that it can still be treated with a filling, though the decay is a bit deeper. It’s a bit more uncomfortable but still mostly painless.

• Pain Level: 2/10
• Urgency: 8/10
• Treatment: A deeper filling
• Risks: The decay will reach the root if left untreated and this will translate to incredible, often debilitating pain.

Stage 3: Decay Reaches the Root

If the decay isn’t treated, it eventually reaches the tooth’s root. This is when you’ll start feeling real pain—usually a throbbing, persistent ache. At this point, a filling won’t be enough, and you’ll likely need a root canal to remove the infected tissue from inside the tooth. Although a root canal sounds scary, it actually saves your tooth and stops the pain. If left untreated, the infection could spread to other parts of your body.

• Pain Level: 7/10
• Urgency: 10/10
• Treatment: Root canal
• Risks: Infection can spread, leading to serious health problems.

Stage 4: After the Root Canal – Tooth Extraction

Once the root canal is done, the tooth is essentially “dead” because the nerve tissue is removed. It can still function, but it’s much more fragile. Over time, it might crack, break, or develop infections again, leading to the need for tooth extraction. Once the tooth is removed, you might experience bone loss in the jaw. To prevent this, your dentist may recommend a dental implant, which will help maintain your jawbone structure and keep the surrounding teeth healthy.

• Pain Level: 6/10
• Urgency: You’re already late…
• Treatment: Tooth extraction, dental implant
• Risks: Bone loss and infections can worsen without treatment.

Why Addressing Tooth Sensitivity Early Is Important

Tooth sensitivity is not something to ignore. It’s often the first sign of tooth decay, and catching it early can prevent bigger problems down the road. If you feel any sensitivity or discomfort, seeing an emergency dentist in London as soon as possible can help you avoid more complicated and painful treatments later. Whether it’s a simple filling or a root canal, acting quickly can save you both time and money while keeping your smile healthy.

Should You Visit An Emergency Dentist in London?

If you’re visiting London for a holiday or for work and find yourself experiencing any tooth sensitivity, please do not ignore it. As unfortunate as visiting an emergency dentist in London might be, the risk of finding yourself in debilitating pain is quite high.

The faster you act, the higher the chance that you will spare yourself from pain and from spending a lot of time on the dental chair.

REMEMBER, whilst tooth sensitivity is easy to ignore, it’s a sure sign that there’s some infection reaching the root of the tooth and there’s only one thing that can happen if you do nothing about it: you might end up so in pain, that painkillers can’t help you further.

Summary

Tooth sensitivity can be a common symptom of various stages of tooth decay. Understanding the different stages of tooth decay can help explain why you might experience tooth sensitivity. If you’re in London and facing tooth sensitivity, it may be a good idea to seek emergency dental care from a dentist in the area.