why is it that you can break a piece of a tooth and it doesn’t need fixing, but if you have the tiniest cavity it has to get filled ASAP?
In: Biology
Where on the tooth?
The biting surfaces are typically much thicker than the sides, and generally experience more tooth-on-tooth and toothbrush contact that keeps plaque from accumulating. You can still get cavities in crevices along the biting surface.
The sides of teeth (especially the sides between adjoining teeth) are easily covered in plaque, or even hard tartar if your brushing is poor. Toothbrush bristles will not be able to reach into the cavity, allowing bacteria and food to remain lodged.
The harder enamel can also [conceal damage](https://www.reddit.com/r/ThingsCutInHalfPorn/comments/7x209y/cross_section_of_a_molar_with_tooth_decay_800x1128/) to the less-sturdy dentin beneath it. From outside, it would just look like a small crack with maybe some dark discoloration. The crungy stuff in the upper half should normally be brighter white dentin.
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