6 Ways to Tell if You Have a Cavity
Thinking you might have a tooth cavity? Here’s how to know for sure.
Tooth cavities or decay are the number #1 reason people have for visiting the dentist.
It is imperative that tooth decay gets recognized at the onset because if left untreated it can lead to excessive pain, discomfort, and eventually tooth loss.
How do cavities form?
Bacteria in the mouth break down sugar-rich foods such as chocolates, sodas, candies, etc to produce acids. These acids wear down the tooth surface to form small pits that eventually grow in size and merge to form cavities. This process is known as tooth decay.
Common signs & symptoms of tooth cavities
1. Tooth discoloration and/or dark spots
When decay first starts you might experience no symptoms. Visually you may notice black or brown spots on the surface of your tooth which you might disregard as staining. If the spots begin to grow it is a cause for concern, therefore stay vigilant.
2. Sensitivity to hot or cold
One of the most common symptoms of a dental cavity is localized, heightened sensitivity to hot or cold in the region of the affected tooth. This sensitivity may resolve immediately or may linger for a few seconds once the hot or cold substance is removed.
3. Pain
As the decay goes deeper towards the pulp chamber (the innermost layer of the tooth containing vessels and nerve bundles) you might start experiencing pain on biting or pressure.
The pain might also start spontaneously without any stimulus whatsoever.
4. Sensitivity to sweets
While thermal sensitivity is more common, some patients also experience a lingering sensitivity to sugary foods and drinks. This is because in response to sugary foods bacteria produce more acid causing further irritation of the pulpal tissues.
5. Holes in your teeth
When the cavity gets bigger, you will start feeling a hole or crater in your tooth, into which food particles might get stuck causing discomfort.
6. Bad breath
Bacterial proliferation inside the decayed region can cause bad breath and an unpleasant taste sensation. Bacteria produce sulfur compounds that are responsible for the offensive smell and altered taste.
The bottom line
Cavities may start small but they can grow to create serious problems. Timely detection is of utmost importance.
Now that you know the first signs of a tooth cavity, you can catch the problem early on and visit your dentist before it can get worse.
Always remember: prevention is better (and way cheaper) than cure! 😄
Dr. Zainab Javed Qadri is a board-certified dentist and CEO of her private practice, “TwinCity Dental” situated in Islamabad, Pakistan. Through her Medium articles, she aims to increase dental and oral health awareness in the local and international populace.
