Cavities are one of the common fears of a parent with a young child. Children love sweets, but they do not know the right ways to clean their teeth and gums. This causes tooth decay, which affects the overall health and structure of the teeth. Tooth decay can happen for various reasons, so it is important to know the warning signs.
Knowing the signs of tooth decay and cavities is important because you may be able to seek treatment before the tooth goes into worse stages. The last thing you want is for your dentist to tell you that you need a root canal or, worse, a tooth extraction. If you or your loved one already has cavities, do not hesitate to contact a dentist in North Central Phoenix immediately.
Signs and symptoms of a cavity
- Hot and cold sensitivity.
One of the most common and obvious signs of a cavity is when you have lingering sensitivity every time you eat or drink something hot or cold. Your teeth have a protective outer layer called the enamel, covering the inside layer known as dentin. When your teeth are damaged, the enamel wears down, and the dentin is exposed. You experience sensitivity when the hold or cold items touch the dentin, as it stimulates the nerves and cells in your teeth.
- Visible discoloration or dark spots.
One of the earliest signs of tooth decay is visible dark spots on the surface of your teeth. At first, these spots may appear as simple staining and mild tooth discoloration that goes away with teeth whitening. However, if these spots keep getting bigger with time, it is tooth decay. Cavities can sometimes cause white spots or light marks as well.
- Toothache.
An ongoing toothache can also be an indicator of a cavity. If you have persistent pain in your teeth, which keeps returning after the painkiller’s effect wears off, you need to see a dentist. This ache can occur suddenly or activate when you eat something. You may find it painful when you bite down on food and impossible to eat.
- Bad breath and weird taste.
Tooth decay and cavities result from lingering bacteria, plaque, and tartar inside your mouth. This bacteria also results in bad breath and a foul taste in your mouth occasionally. The smell can be embarrassing and hard to hide unless you seek professional treatment. If you have consistent bad breath, you may have a cavity.
To know if you have a cavity, you must pay attention to your mouth. To know for sure, see a dentist today.