Cavities are these tiny holes or opening in your teeth on the damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth. Cavities, in other words, are also called caries or tooth decay which can be caused by a combination of factors. These factors include the bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, drinking sugary drinks or eating sugary items and not cleaning your teeth properly.
Among the world’s most common health problems are the problems of cavities and tooth decay. Frank Roach Dentist says these problems are especially common among the children, teenagers and the older adults. But anyone with teeth can get cavities not only these people, which also includes infants.
If you don’t treat the cavities then they get larger and affects the deeper layers of your teeth. These situations can lead to severe toothache, tooth loss and infection in your mouth around the cavity.
So, it is recommended to have regular dental visits as well as good brushing and flossing habits. These things can be your best protection against tooth decay and cavities.
Signs/Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of cavities and tooth decay can vary, depending on the severity of the problem and the location of it. When the cavity is just developing in your teeth, there may not be any sign or symptoms at all.
But as the tooth decay or cavity progresses and gets larger, it may show signs and symptoms such as –
- Toothache, severe pain or pain which occurs without any cause
Sometimes the toothache can come and go, and sometimes it can be constant. You can feel pain and discomfort in or around your mouth without any particular reason for that as well.
- Tooth sensitivity
You may feel sensitive around your teeth. These areas might be soft and you might feel pain while touching that area or if you drink or eat it pains in that particular area.
- Pain when you bite down
Sometimes while eating some hard foods can cause you pain or you may feel some kind of pressure in your teeth due to biting down on something.
- Mild to sharp pain when you are eating or drinking something cold, hot or sweet
You can feel hot or cold sensitivity in your mouth when eating or drinking any cold or hot item. This can cause you pain while having anything hot or cold in your teeth. You can also have sensitivity while eating sweets.
- Visible holes or pits or openings in your teeth
If you are having a white stain on your tooth and when it becomes worse than it may develop into a hole or pit in your teeth. You may not be able the hole sometimes, but you may feel it with your tongue.
- Black, white or brown stains on the hard surface of your tooth
These stains can be caused due to coffee, carbonated soft drinks, sticky candies, etc. If these stains become darker than before then you should know that the tooth decay has advanced.
Sometimes you also may not suffer or feel any of these symptoms. For situations like this regular dental checkups are helpful to detect any cavity or tooth ache.
When is the right time for you to see a dentist?
You may not be aware yourself, if you are developing a cavity or a tooth decay. So, it is important for you to have regular dental checkups and cleaning of your teeth, even when you feel fine. On the other hand, if you are having mouth pain or any toothache then see your dentist as soon as possible.
Now you know what you need to be on the lookout for and how you find out if you have tooth decay and cavity in your teeth.