Are you dealing with sudden tooth pain? You might have a cavity forming. Take a look at this guide to learn about the warning signs of a cavity.
It is no secret that most Americans struggle with cavities because cavities are one of the most prevalent tooth problems. According to the American Dental Association, around ninety-one percent of adults over the age of 20 have suffered from cavities at some point in their lives.
Many have gone untreated because they were unaware of the signs of a cavity forming and could not recognize the problem until it was too late. If you want to avoid an extraction or root canal down the line, here are the top warning signs of cavity.
Why Recognize Signs of Cavity?
When cavities form on a person’s teeth, they chew down the enamel until it reaches a layer underneath called the dentin. Any bacteria collected on your tooth will then eat through your dentin. The germs will then reach the nerves and blood vessels that are housed in the middle of your teeth, known as the pulp.
If bacteria get to the pulp, then it can rapidly spread to other parts of your mouth if you do not treat a cavity fast enough. Your tooth tissue will severely degrade because it is not strong enough to fight the bacteria if you take too long to treat your cavity.
Therefore, the best way to prevent this catastrophe is by understanding the signs of a cavity so you can schedule an appointment with your local dentist for urgent treatment.
1. Tooth Pain and Aches
If you have neglected a cavity for some time, the first sign you will notice is an ache in your tooth. When this toothache occurs, you will need to rush to a dentist.
Avoid putting it off because this is the earliest stage of a cavity, which can be treated and prevented before it gets much worse. Otherwise, you may continue feeling sore each time you bite down on anything. Any favorite sweets will become unbearable to eat.
This pain can worsen even if you eat soft foods. The next time you chew a marshmallow, you might feel a sharp sting. This is when you may need to research the best dental care professional to seek help before you cannot eat anymore.
2. Sensitive Teeth
Although this is one of the least obvious signs of a cavity, a
sensitive tooth
is still a symptom of a larger problem. While eating anything acidic, sweet, hot, or cold, you may feel a tingle in your tooth when it becomes sensitive.
This is because food bacteria have thinned your tooth’s outer layer called the enamel, which protects all the nerves inside your teeth. The enamel is no longer a forcefield or fortress to repel bacteria, so your tooth will feel a tickle at first until it becomes very sore.
When this happens, you can start using a specific toothpaste meant for sensitive teeth. However, this does not treat the cavity, and the pain will not entirely go away. Then you will need to schedule a dentist’s appointment for a thorough examination.
3. Dark Spots on Teeth
A cavity resembles a hole or dark spot on your teeth. The moment you notice one of these, it means that you have a tooth cavity that has been neglected for a while. The dark spot will be most noticeable on the infected tooth rather than spread across.
Any tooth that looks discolored will prove that you are suffering from cavities. These can form before any actual holes, or there may be a hole that is not visible to you using a bathroom or bedroom mirror.
Most dark spots are gray, black, or brown in color. If you see any spots like that on your teeth, it means that bacteria have started destroying your enamel by digging into it.
4. Terrible Breath or Halitosis
When your tooth is starting to decay, bacteria are drilling into it to attack your enamel. All those germs will remain on the surface of your teeth, causing bad breath, which is also
known as halitosis. Even when you brush your teeth and tongue actively, you will taste a horrible flavor in your mouth.
Halitosis is one of the most prominent signs of cavity forming. You will need to see your dentist immediately to get your cavity filled before your treatment becomes more expensive in the future when the damage has progressed.
5. Broken or Chipped Teeth
If you wake up and notice a break or chip in your tooth despite not being in an accident, it might be because you have a cavity. Your enamel will be significantly weaker, so your
teeth can chip just by biting or chewing an apple or candy. This is one of the harshest signs of a cavity because it means your teeth are too fragile at this stage.
The bacteria are aggressively breaking down your tooth, which is why you see parts of it chipping off suddenly. If luck is on your side, your dentist might be able to save your tooth. Otherwise, it may be too late at this stage, and the damaged tooth will need to be extracted.
6. Pus in Teeth
When there is pus, it indicates a serious problem caused by an untreated cavity. This is because your cavity may have become more severe to turn into an abscess. This will be challenging to ignore because abscesses cause excruciating pain. You may also suffer from a fever and swollen glands that will have you rushing for an emergency appointment.
Your dentist will need to stop the pus while preventing the abscess from worsening. They will most likely prescribe a strong antibiotic to kill all the bacteria that has degraded your teeth this much, in hopes that nearby areas in your mouth do not suffer from any damage too.
7. Teeth Holes
If you see random holes in your teeth, it means that your cavity has progressed to a dangerous level. This is where you will need numerous fillings and possibly even a root canal.
Never Neglect Signs of Cavity
Now that you are aware of all the signs of cavities, you will need to visit a professional dentist immediately if you notice these.
Contact us today and schedule an appointment to prevent this intense pain and permanent damage to your teeth.
