The cavity emits unpleasant odour and causes bad breath. This directly affects the normal social life.

Dental caries may lead to persistent pain, which affects one's appetite, studies, work, sleep, or even general health.

When there is severe dental caries, the bacteria may spread from the pulp to the surrounding periodontal tissues via the apex of the tooth, cause inflammation and lead to the formation of dental abscess.

If a tooth is severely damaged that even pulp treatment cannot be done, an extraction is necessary. After the extraction, the neighbouring teeth will shift toward the empty space and cause bad alignment of teeth.

If the teeth which support a denture had been extracted due to dental caries, a new denture has to be made.