Common Signs of a Cavity That you Should Know
Healthy teeth lead to good all-around health is what we have heard over the years at our visits to the dental clinic near you. One must follow a good oral hygiene routine and dietary schedule to protect your teeth from infection, gum disease, or decay. One must prevent tooth decay or cavities to keep your teeth in prime healthy condition while avoiding other complications. If we go by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 30 percent of American adults suffer from untreated dental cavities. If the cavities are left undiagnosed and untreated, it can severely affect your teeth and create serious oral health problems in the future. This is why it’s important to know the common signs of a cavity. In today’s article, we will answer queries like what are some signs of having cavity and how would you know if you have a cavity.
How Would you Know if You Have a Cavity?
As outlined above, it’s important to know if you are suffering from a cavity. So here are common signs of a cavity-
- Sensitivity to cold and hot: Everyone asks “how would you know if you have a cavity” and the answer is sensitivity to consumption of hot and cold food alike. The reason is the interaction between hot or cold food with a tissue called dentin lying just below the enamel. When the enamel gets worn down, the dentin tissue is exposed in the open. As the dentin comes into contact with the hot or cold food, the nerve and cells are stimulated leading to a lingering sensitivity for a while.
- Toothache: Continous toothache in one or more teeth is a good indicator of the cavity. The severity of the pain would differ from individual to individual but it would come suddenly while eating. You would feel pain and discomfort in the mouth and it would increase when one bites down on food. It’s important to consult the dentist near you if you experience pain or discomfort every time you bite or chew food.
- Discoloration or staining in tooth: Initially, stains would appear on the tooth as white spots but would become darker with passing time. This is a clear sign of severe tooth decay progressing. Plus, the staining of brown, white, or black color would pinpoint to the cavity.
- Hole in the tooth: A white spot on the tooth would soon worsen to a hole or pit in your teeth. This is what does the start of a cavity feel like for an individual. If you notice a hole or pit in the tooth, immediately book a dental appointment at a clinic near you.
- Bleeding or Swollen Gums: One must know that cavities can be different with some of them found near the gum line. This would lead to gums being swollen or bleeding at random times or when you are brushing or flossing. It’s time to set up an appointment with your dentist without any further ado. It could either be a cavity or gingivitis. A thorough oral examination would help the dentist to come to the root cause.
Book an Appointment to Know What is the First Sign of a Cavity
Cavities begin as a small concern but they can snowball into bigger problems like decay, tooth loss, and gum disease. If you exhibit any common signs of a cavity, time to book a dental appointment. Don’t wait! Book your appointment or call us at (630) 793-1195! We offer free oral exam & X-rays for new patients plus free cleanings for insured patients.