19/07/2026
This is why even a small cavity should never be ignored.
A cavity may look small on the surface, but that doesn't always reflect the amount of damage hidden inside the tooth.
Unlike enamel, the dentin beneath it is softer and less mineralized, allowing tooth decay to spread more quickly once bacteria break through the outer protective layer. Because this process often occurs silently, many cavities continue to grow without causing pain or obvious symptoms.
By the time a tooth starts to hurt, the decay may have already reached the pulp—the living tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. At that stage, treatment is often more complex and may require root canal treatment or, in severe cases, tooth extraction.
Most cavities are highly treatable when detected early. Regular dental checkups and timely treatment can preserve more of the natural tooth, reduce treatment costs, and help prevent avoidable complications.