Signs And Symptoms Of A Cavity

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are usually found next to your tooth’s gum line and in between teeth. It slowly eats away your teeth, eventually causing sensitivity to cold or hot temperatures, toothache, and loss of a portion of your teeth. Are you worried you may have a cavity already? Let’s shed some awareness of the necessary signs and symptoms.

Sensitivity To Cold Or Hot Food And Drinks

Dentin becomes exposed when the cavity continues to get worse. This layer of the tooth is a lot more porous and when unprotected, it can cause sensitivity problems. You start feeling a burst of pain in one tooth when you drink or eat something cold or hot. This may be a significant sign that there is a forming cavity in your tooth.

Visible Dark Spots And Discoloration

What you may think as simple staining on your teeth is a sign that cavities are already forming in your tooth. The surface of your tooth starts to have minute holes that help the discoloration become more pronounced. Over time, the spots turn into large holes, indicating tooth decay. Other causes of tooth decay are manifested by light-colored marks and white spots on the tooth.

Unpleasant Taste And Bad Breath

Untreated bacterial infections in the mouth often cause and aggravate cavity formation in a tooth. The waste produced by the bacteria can add to the unpleasant taste and bad breath. A dental checkup is necessary if your bad breath is getting more persistent and cannot be masked anymore.

Bleeding Or Swollen Gums

The tooth infection can affect the surrounding gums if the cavity is near it. This results in swollen or bleeding gums, especially when you floss or brush your teeth. The bleeding can also signal the occurrence of gingivitis. If this is what you’re experiencing, you must go and see your dentist right away.

Craters And Holes On Your Teeth

The cavity harbors bacteria and these organisms eventually burrow into the tooth. This activity produces small pits and holes in your tooth’s enamel. A filling is usually recommended to stop the holes and craters from progressing. Your dentist can remove the decay and then the filling will plug the visible hole in your tooth.

Asymptomatic

Cavities that are still small may not show symptoms at all. It is common for most people to be unaware of the presence of cavities in their teeth. They wouldn’t even know how worse the cavities are already until they see their dentist.

Discomfort And Pain

The cavity in your tooth may be causing pain. Chewing, biting down, brushing, and flossing may be challenging for you because of the sharp pain they trigger. This is caused by the exposure of your tooth’s dentin.

 Cavities should be detected early with regular dental checkups. Here, at Steven H. Brenman DMD Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we care about helping you with all your dental care needs. Please feel free to set an appointment with us by calling (718) 447-4510. Better yet, visit our clinic in Staten Island, New York, for a consultation.