In an individual's lifetime, it is common to get cavities in any portion of the mouth.

However, when you get a cavity on a wisdom tooth, the toothache may become unbearable. It is easy to prevent cavities on normal teeth, but wisdom teeth become extremely tough.

That is because they often erupt as crooked teeth that are hard to reach spaces by the toothbrush. That gives rise to tartar, plaque, and tooth decay.

Today, we will discuss a cavity on a wisdom tooth to help you deal with the situation as it happens.

How Does Cavity on Wisdom Tooth Start Forming?

Usually, the cavity on a wisdom tooth starts building up in the following three steps:

Initial Stage of Plaque Buildup

If a person doesn't follow the right instructions for teeth cleaning, the bacteria start feeding on the residual food particles.

Because of that, a sticky and clear film of plaque appears on the teeth.

If the person doesn't take any measures to remove this layer of plaque, it starts hardening below the gum line.

Once this plaque hardens, it is known as tartar.

Second Stage: Stubborn Plaque

Because plaque contains acids, the minerals in your teeth's enamel are removed.

As a result, a tooth may develop holes, giving leeway to the germs and acid to reach the dentin layer.

As you may know, dentin is softer than enamel; it is more difficult to withstand acid.

Acids can damage the nerves in teeth, which can lead to tooth sensitivity.

Final Stage: Tooth Decay

When tooth decay begins, your teeth's pulp layer becomes accessible to germs and acid.

The nerves and blood vessels are located here.

Swelling and inflammation of the pulp may occur.

You get a painful sensation all the way down to the bone because of the swelling that puts pressure on the nerves.

Symptoms of Cavity on a Wisdom Tooth

While some cavities may have clear, visible symptoms, others may be difficult to identify at home.

A cavity on a wisdom tooth may show the following symptoms:

Pain near the area where the wisdom tooth is embedded
Swelling of gums
Holes, dents, or chips in the tooth's surface
Infection
Cysts
Tooth cracks
Discoloration on tooth's surface, usually black spots
Sensitivity to certain foods, such as sweets and sugary drinks
Bad breath
Unpleasant taste in the mouth

The cavity on a wisdom tooth may exhibit one of these symptoms or a mix of all.

If the pain becomes intolerable, the 14 Best Remedies for Wisdom Tooth Pain Relief may help.

Three Main Treatments for Cavity on Wisdom Tooth

Depending on the severity of the cavity on a wisdom tooth, each patient will receive a different treatment for tooth decay.

Wisdom teeth can still be handled routinely and left in place if they do not represent a risk to your dental health.

Most dentists always advise extraction due to potential complications in the future.

1.Filling

The dentists place a filler within the wisdom tooth having a cavity.

This option is picked when a cavity on a wisdom tooth hasn't progressed to the point where it has endangered the tooth.

Additionally, the professionals will evaluate the condition of the cavity on a wisdom tooth.

The dentist may restore the tooth with a composite filling, even if it has been severely damaged.

However, more comprehensive dental work than fillings will most likely be required on a deteriorated tooth.

Frankly speaking, filling the cavity on a wisdom tooth is not the preferred treatment.

That is because people mostly decide to pull out that tooth. After all, it would always be hard to clean.

And in the long run, restoration and maintenance would cost more money.

2.Root Canal

Normally, people can avoid a root canal by following several tips.

However, the dentist may suggest getting a root canal if the decay has reached the wisdom tooth's pulp.

The goal of the procedure is to attempt to take out the affected part of the tooth instead of extracting it entirely.

Generally, a wisdom tooth does not need to be replaced once a dentist extracts it.

There won't be any need for bridges or dental implants because the gum area will heal.

3.Tooth Extraction

According to research, 15% of people opt for tooth extraction due to a cavity on a wisdom tooth.

When the cavity on a wisdom tooth can't be fixed, extracting it is the best mode of action.

If you have serious decay or other problems with your wisdom teeth, you should consider tooth extraction in Canada.

Depending on the condition of the tooth, an impaction may necessitate a more complex surgical procedure.

Otherwise, a simple extraction treatment by tooth extraction in Canada would do the job.

When Should An Individual Consider Tooth Extraction in Canada

Here are the cases where the individual should consider tooth extraction in Canada.

The tooth's condition is quite bad due to the severe level of decay.
Due to the dentist's extremely limited access to the tooth and/or cavity, restoration may be impossible.
The wisdom teeth have previously gone through multiple decay cycles.
The patient cannot adequately clean the wisdom tooth even with professional dental cleaning.
The patient decides to get their wisdom teeth extracted.

FAQs

What does a cavity look like on a wisdom tooth?

The cavity on the wisdom tooth is like a dark spot on the teeth.

What happens when a person leaves a cavity on a wisdom tooth untreated?

Pulpitis or a dental abscess is the worst-case scenario for an untreated cavity on a wisdom tooth. These conditions can cause swelling, pain, and infection.

When there is a cavity in a wisdom tooth, will it eventually fall out?

No, it won't completely fall out. As the decay spreads, bits of it will start coming off.

Final Thoughts

That was our guide on a cavity on a wisdom tooth, how you can determine the symptoms and the most effective treatments.

Even though not all cavities cause toothache, it's better to identify them quickly before they spread.

If you don't want the cavity on your wisdom tooth to go unnoticed and destroy your dental health, schedule a check-up with us!

Cavity on a Wisdom Tooth: Causes, Formation, Symptoms & Treatment