Signs That Show You Have A Cavity

August 30, 2019

Food is a thing we all enjoy – but it can be uncomfortable when there is a presence of a cavity. Below are some warning signs of cavities; if you have one or more, contact your dentist immediately.

  1. Toothache with an unknown cause. If you have injured your teeth or if you have a sinus infection, then it’s possible you will also have a toothache. But if it happens suddenly and out of nowhere, with no known cause, it’s most likely because of a cavity. As soon as the cavity is through the enamel, it will keep going until it reaches the next layer, known as the dentin. It can also travel into the pulp of the tooth, which can become inflamed and create pain. While cavities won’t always cause pain, contact your doctor if sudden pain has occurred in your mouth.

  2. Sensitivity when eating and/or drinking. If it’s painful or uncomfortable to eat or drink items that are acidic, cold, hot, sweet, or sticky, it’s most likely because you have a cavity. Once the cavity is in the dentin, hollow canals allow these types of food and drink items to stimulate the nerves and cells located inside of the teeth. Needless to say, this isn’t a good feeling!

  3. A hole or pit has formed on your tooth. Cavities initially show up as a small white spot on the tooth’s surface. But once the erosion becomes worse and the cavity goes further into the tooth, a hole or pit will form that you can see.

  4. Your teeth are brown, black, or white. Teeth can become discolored due to coffee drinking habits, but if you notice a discolored spot on them that has a different hue than the rest of your teeth, it’s a cavity. They start as white spots, and then eventually pick up stains from food and drinks you consume.

  5. There is a pain when you bite down. Tooth decay can inflame the tooth’s pulp as well as kill it. The pulp can die from infection and press down onto the root underneath, creating pain when you bite down on your food. The root is connected to the bone underneath that holds your tooth in place, so this experience is anything but comfortable.

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