“You have a cavity” are some of the most dreaded words you can hear from your dentist. Because cavities get worse over time and can lead to some downright excruciating pain, it’s important to catch them early so you can avoid major problems.
At Heroes Dental, we encourage all patients to understand how to spot cavities early on. Our mouths are full of bacteria, some of which eat sugars and produce acid that eats away at our enamel. If this protective outer layer of our teeth is depleted, then a cavity begins to form.
Your dentists at Heroes Dental will thoroughly inspect your teeth every check-up to make sure they are clear of any cavities. However, if it’s been some time since you’ve last visited the dentist, it pays to know what to look for. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is a Cavity?
Cavities — sometimes called dental caries — are permanent tooth abscesses or decay found on the hard tooth surface. Once a little cavity is formed, it will develop into a hole that will continue to get bigger and affect deeper parts of the tooth. While enamel decay involves the hard outer layer of the tooth, more advanced dentin decay affects the living tissue beneath.
Dental cavities are caused by bacteria in our mouths that feed off the sugars in the foods we eat. These bacteria then begin to produce dental plaque that eats away at tooth enamel, which can eventually turn into cavities, potentially affecting the deeper tissue.
According to the Mayo Clinic, cavities can be caused by a combination of factors, including the consumption of sugary drinks and snacks, not brushing your teeth properly, and failing to visit your family dentist regularly.
Cavities are among the most common dental health problems in the world, affecting more than 80% of Americans by the time they reach 35.
Unfortunately, cavities don’t heal on their own. You will need to visit a dental professional to have the tooth decay cleaned out and filled with a dental filling made of composite resin. If left untreated, advanced tooth decay can lead to serious issues and even tooth loss.
Types of Cavities
- Pit and Fissure Cavities – These cavities are found on the chewing surfaces of back teeth and molars, where deep grooves trap food and bacteria.
- Root Cavities – These cavities form near the tooth root along the gum line, often forming due to receding gums.
- Smooth Surface Cavities – These cavities form on the flat, smooth surfaces of teeth. These cavities develop slowly, particularly due to poor hygiene.
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7 Symptoms of Cavities
Here are some symptoms to watch out for:
Bad Breath
If a tooth is developing a cavity, and isn’t properly treated, bacteria will begin to multiply. This tooth decay will eventually lead to bad breath. If you find that even after brushing your teeth and tongue regularly, you’re still experiencing bad breath, it’s probably best that you pay your dentist a visit to check for any potential cavities.
Tooth Discoloration
A change in your tooth’s color is usually the first visible sign of a cavity and can even be spotted before you feel any pain. The acid that eats away at enamel will cause changes to the affected area that will often be seen as off-white, light, or dark brown spots. Since these spots can vary in hue, try to keep an eye out for any unusual changes to the normal color of your teeth.
Bad Tastes
Even if continuously gargling with mouthwash and brushing your teeth doesn’t get rid of that bad taste in your mouth, it might be time to see your dentist. Chronic bad taste may mean that a cavity needs to be cleaned out and filled.
Tooth Sensitivity
One of the most recognize tell-tale signs of a cavity is tooth sensitivity, especially in regards to hot, cold, and sugar. Once tooth decay has progressed to the point that the inside layers of your teeth are exposed, your tooth will be prone to serious sensitivity when sipping cold or hot drinks. This also applies to sugary drinks and snacks; you might notice some immediate pain or it might be a delayed effect. Regardless, if you feel substantial tooth pain after drinking a cold or hot beverage, or eating a sugary treat, you’ll need to visit your dentist immediately.
Your Tongue Knows
You might have a habit of moving your tongue around to feel your teeth. If this is the case, you might be able to spot a hole in your tooth. Finding a hole (or seeing one) means that you likely have a cavity. Schedule an appointment with Heroes Dental to get that hole filled in properly.
Tooth Pain at the Source
While tooth sensitivity may bring pain, it usually dies out after some time. However, when a cavity has grown severe, the pain won’t go away even when you aren’t eating or drinking anything.
Consistent pain in a specific area usually means tooth decay. Constant pain may also be a sign of infection, which can lead to other serious health problems, so it’s important that if you’ve been experiencing pain in your tooth for some time, you need to visit your dentist immediately. Sharp pain when biting down can mean that your tooth’s pulp has been affected and is now straining your tooth’s nerves.
Pus, Fever, Swollen Glands
Another serious symptom of a cavity is an abscess forming in the region of the cavity. An abscess may cause fevers, mouth pain, pus, swollen glands, and may require antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the issue. Do not allow an abscess to be left untreated, as this is a sign of a serious condition that needs to be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums, especially near the gum line, can be a sign of tooth decay. Tooth decay can cause inflammation of the gums, which can lead to bleeding, particularly when brushing or flossing. However, it’s important to keep in mind that bleeding gums can also be a sign of more serious issues, such as gum disease, so be sure to seek care as soon as possible if you’re experiencing gum bleeding.
When Should I Visit Heroes Dental for My Cavity Symptoms?
Sometimes we wonder if we’re making a bigger deal over our cavity symptoms and think we can wait a few months before scheduling a dental appointment. But with cavities, we definitely don’t want to wait or let them get worse. Without prompt treatment, you may need more significant care down the road, such as a root canal or even a dental extraction.
If you start experiencing one or more cavity symptoms, it’s time to see your dentist at Heroes Dental for a dental check-up. In the meantime, check inside your mouth and see if you can spot any symptoms of a cavity. You may only notice bad breath as an early decay symptom, but if you look in a mirror, you might see some discoloration or holes.
Take care of your dental health by scheduling a cavity exam at your McAllen dentist today and catch those cavities before they get worse!
How to Prevent Cavities
Given how serious cavities can be, you’re probably wondering how you can avoid them. Maintaining optimal oral health in general is the key. This includes things like brushing twice daily, flossing, using mouthwash, and getting regular dental checkups for the early signs of decay.
Some other more proactive ways to prevent cavities include using fluoride toothpaste and getting fluoride treatments. Fluoride toothpaste works to strengthen your tooth enamel, helping defend against decay. Fluoride treatments are an even more powerful form of this effect, providing significant support for enamel health. Dental sealants, meanwhile, involve applying a coating to the teeth to create a physical barrier between teeth and harmful bacteria.
Once you have a cavity, the best tooth decay treatment is generally a dental filling for the affected tooth.
Get Exams and Dental Fillings at Heroes Dental
If you’ve noticed one of the previously mentioned signs, then it’s important to schedule an appointment with your Heroes Dental dentist. Getting your cavity taken care of sooner rather than later is going to save you money, pain, and time down the road.
Don’t forget to schedule your regular check-up appointments and to maintain good oral health care habits like brushing twice daily and flossing as well. Also, go easy on those sugary foods and liquids.
Your teeth deserve the best treatment possible and doing so will keep them happy and healthy for a lifetime.
Are you noticing one or several cavity symptoms? Don’t ignore these symptoms and call Heroes Dental today to get scheduled for a dental check-up!