If you’ve recently joined the cavity club or are worried you may be a future member, know that you’re not alone. Tooth decay is relatively common, with a survey conducted by Public Health England in 2018 reporting that 27% of adults had tooth decay. While receiving a cavity diagnosis is never the ideal experience, it’s important to learn about the common causes, treatments and prevention tactics that can help stop it from worsening or lessen the risk of future cavities.
What is a Gumline Cavity?
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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications
Causes of Gumline Cavities
A dental cavity forms when plaque, a sticky bacterial film that builds up inside the mouth, start to demineralise the surface of the tooth. This bacteria combines with sugar from the diet to produce acids that dissolve the tooth's enamel, the hard surface that works as a protective layer against tooth decay. And when this protective layer begins to wear, different types of cavities have the potential to form.
Have you ever wondered what areas of the mouth are most prone to tooth decay? Well, not all teeth are created equal. Plaque tends to accumulate more easily in certain areas. For example, the pits and fissures of the back teeth (molars) are a hot spot for plaque and the spaces in between the teeth. Plaque also builds up easily along the gumline, and when this plaque isn't removed, a gumline cavity can form.
Gumline cavities can also be associated with exposed tooth roots. Gum tissue usually protects the roots, but the roots will be vulnerable if the gum tissue recedes. That's because roots are covered in a material called cementum, which is much weaker than tooth enamel.
Treatment of Gumline Cavities
As outlined by Bupa, there are several standard treatments for cavities, with moderate cases normally treated with a filling. To create a filling, a dental professional numbs the surrounding area of the problematic tooth, drills, or lasers to remove the decayed material, and then fills in the hole with a protective material like composite resin or dental amalgam.
Tooth decay at gumline treatment is similar to other cavity treatments, but with some small differences. If the cavity extends beneath the gumline, it can be challenging for the dental professional to access it with their drill or laser. In these situations, your dentist may perform minor gum surgery to access the cavity.
How to Prevent Gumline Cavities
Toothbrushing
While there's no such thing as guaranteed gumline cavity prevention, you can take daily, consistent steps to fight them. The best way to prevent cavities is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Remember to brush along your gumline with a proper brushing technique that involves placing your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline and using a back-and-forth motion to brush along each tooth. Once the gumline area is clean, move on to the rest of the tooth surfaces for complete cleaning.
Interdental Cleaning
For the hard-to-reach plaque around your teeth and gumline, a daily routine of flossing will also help to prevent cavities. To floss beneath your gumline, curve the floss around the base of each of your teeth and make sure to be gentle to avoid cutting or bruising the gum tissue. Water flossing is an excellent alternative to flossing, while mouthwash should also be added to your daily oral health routine to rinse out bacteria.
Professional Teeth Cleanings
And like all preventative health measures, a regular dental check-up is paramount to your overall oral health. A dental professional can thoroughly clean your teeth and remove plaque and tartar from along the gumline that you could not remove with your at-home measures. They can then thoroughly examine your mouth and look for conditions like gum recession that could put you at risk of gumline cavities.
No one enjoys receiving the news of a cavity at the gumline diagnosis. Still, the more you know about this specific type of tooth decay - its causes, prevention and treatment - the more confident you'll feel with whatever next steps your dental professional recommends. With an excellent oral hygiene routine and help from a dental professional, you can reduce the chances of a gumline cavity or proactively treat it if recently diagnosed.
Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
