How Dentists Treat Cavities Between Teeth: Causes & Care

Cavities can occur anywhere on a tooth. Cavities are known as inter-proximal cavities as they occur in tight spaces between two adjacent teeth. The bristles on a normal toothbrush aren’t able to effectively clean this area leaving food particles and plaque to accumulate.

Early detection and treatment of inter-proximal cavities will help keep your smile looking great, reduce serious infections and save you money. This clinical guide will show you how dental professionals treat and prevent cavities between teeth.

What Causes Cavities Between Teeth?

Inter-proximal cavities occur when bacteria feed off the sugar left in your mouth. The digestion process produces acid. This acid gradually eats away at the minerals on your teeth.
Foods high in fiber and stickiness leave small fragments stuck between your adjacent teeth.
Failure to floss daily will cause bacteria and plaque to build up between your teeth.
Enamel is thinner slightly at the points where your teeth meet causing acid to penetrate faster.
Saliva works naturally to neutralist acids in your mouth. If there isn’t enough saliva it will cause more damage to the enamel between your teeth.

How Can You Spot Hidden Cavities Between Teeth?

To detect inter-proximal cavities early you’ll need to have them diagnosed by a professional. It’s difficult to identify them using just the eye due to the teeth in the way.

Bite-wing X-Rays: These X-Rays allow your dentist to see clear images of the walls of your adjacent enamel and dentin.
Laser Fluorescence Devices: Advanced light emitting devices allow your dental professional to identify changes in density of your teeth to identify hidden enamel damage.
Transilluminating Lights: High intensity focused light is used to identify dark spots on your front teeth.
Dental Explorers: Your dentist will use a thin curved metal tool to identify any soft spots on the edges of your teeth.

What Non-Invasive Fluoride Treatments Are Available?

If your dentist identifies any early stages of inter-proximal cavities that are contained within the outer enamel layer they can often be reversed.

High Strength Fluoride Varnish: A highly sticky fluoride varnish will be applied directly to the early demineralised area.
Fluoride Mouthwashes: Strong fluoride mouthwashes will be used daily to help strengthen the micro-mineralised enamel.
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): Your dentist will paint this onto the early spots. This kills off any bacteria causing decay immediately.
Reduce Sugary Snacks: By reducing the amount of sugary snacks you eat your saliva will remineralise the enamel on the surface naturally.

How Does Icon Resin Infiltration Treat Early Cavities?

If your dentist identifies early cavities that are penetrating slightly into the enamel they will use a resin infiltration technique. This will preserve as much natural tooth as possible.

Etching Gel: Your dentist will apply a mild gel to remove the damaged pores in the enamel.
Drying: Ethanol will be applied to dry out the porous area.
Resin Infiltration: Your dentist will inject a light cure resin liquid into the microscopic gaps between your teeth.
Light Curing: Special curing lights will harden the clear resin sealing the cavity and preventing acid penetration.

How Are Fillings Used to Treat Moderate Cavities?

Once the cavity has eaten through your enamel and penetrated into the softer dentin layer, this will cause the cavity to create a hole or structural breakdown. Your dentist will need to remove the decay and fill the cavity.

Local Anesthetic: Your dentist will numb the affected teeth and surrounding gums.
Rubber Dam: A small rubber dam will be placed over the teeth to keep the area dry.
Matrix Band: A thin metal/plastic band will be placed around the tooth to replicate the tightness of your original wall.
Removing Decay: Your dentist will carefully remove all the infected enamel and dentin using precise hand-pieces and burs.
Composite: Your dentist will add layers of tooth colored composite to build up your cavity.
Curing & Shaping: Each layer will be cured with a blue light. Your dentist will then shape and polish your restoration to create a seamless bite.

What Advanced Treatments Are Used for Severe Cavities?

If a large section of your tooth is affected by the cavity between your teeth, a simple filling won’t be strong enough to withstand the pressure from biting. Advanced treatments will be required.

Inlay/Onlay: Precise porcelain pieces will be fitted into your cavity. This is used if your cavity is too large for a simple filling but doesn’t require a full crown.
Crown: If both sides of your cavity have suffered from the decay your dentist will reshape your tooth and place a strong porcelain crown over your tooth.
Root Canal: If the bacteria has caused infection in the center nerve chamber your dentist will clean out your root canals. An endodontist will then place a protective crown over your tooth.
Inter-proximal Wedges: Special wedges are used during crown preparations to prevent damage to your adjacent teeth.

What Are the Top Tips to Prevent Cavities Between Teeth?

To prevent cavities between teeth you’ll need to maintain good oral hygiene. Some top tips from dental experts are:

Floss Daily: Using string floss, water flossers or inter-dental brushes will help remove plaque from the contact points.
Fluoride Toothpaste: Brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste will help strengthen your enamel.
Try Inter-dental Brushes: Small flexible brushes will help clean larger gaps between your back molars.
Chew Xylitol: Chewing sugar free xylitol after meals will promote healthy saliva production.
Regular Check Ups: Attending your dental clinic twice a year will help your dentist identify any early changes to your inter-proximal teeth.

What Are the Frequently Asked Questions About Cavities Between Teeth?

Can Cavities Between Teeth Spread?

Cavities between teeth often affect both sides of your enamel.
The bacteria, acid and food debris will attack both sides of your teeth as they’re stuck in the tight contact.

Does It Hurt to Have a Filling Between Teeth?

Having a filling between your teeth won’t hurt.
Your dentist will apply a numbing gel and then local anesthetic.
After your appointment you may experience some slight soreness in your gums.

Why Is Food Always Getting Stuck Between the Same Teeth?

Food will always get stuck in the same spot if there’s a gap, your old filling has lost its tight contact or there’s a hidden cavity creating a rough ridge.
Your dentist can adjust or replace your restoration to create a tight natural contact.

How Will You Know If You Have a Cavity Between Your Teeth?

Early cavities between teeth often won’t cause any symptoms.
As they progress further into your dentin you may experience sensitivity to cold drinks, pain when eating sweet foods or bleeding when flossing.

Treating cavities between teeth can be done quickly using accurate imaging and precise techniques. Whether you’re having early remineralisation, micro invasive resin infiltration or bespoke composite restorations your dentist can provide a safe and long lasting solution.

To ensure your teeth are strong and cavity free for years to come make sure to floss daily and attend regular check ups.