Have you recently experienced tooth pain? Has eating or brushing grown painful? If you answered positively to either of these questions, you probably have a cavity.
Knowing more about the many indications and symptoms of cavities may allow you to seek medical attention more quickly. Untreated cavities can worsen, making treatment much more difficult and costly.
As a result, you might want to take a time to review these indications that you could have a cavity. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a dentist for a diagnosis and potential treatment if you believe you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms.
1. Toothache
Pain in your teeth is one of the most evident indicators of cavities. If one or more of your teeth hurt, the first thing you should do is call your dentist and schedule an in-person consultation. You shouldn't ignore or put off getting treatment for a toothache as it may be due to a serious and progressing infection.
You'll heal more quickly, have less pain, and have to pay less in dental and medical expenses if you get treatment right away. It is more expensive to address cavities that are left to worsen and deepen.
2. Sensitivity when brushing
Are you cleaning your teeth twice daily? In such a case, how exactly do you brush your teeth? Many individuals are unaware that there is a proper brushing technique they should use to preserve their enamel and effectively remove bacteria and plaque.
A great approach to keep your teeth clean and lessen uncomfortable brushing sensations is to apply moderate pressure and brush in little circles. The majority of electric toothbrushes contain a light that will turn red if you are brushing your teeth too hard. This light is a terrific help and a good reminder to brush your teeth not as aggressively. Remember that overzealous brushing might lead to some serious issues.
There are several reasons why someone may be sensitive to brushing. One of them is cavities, while another one may be something as simple as gum recession.
3. Bad Breath
Bad breath is another indicator that you may have cavities. You could certainly blame your morning cup of coffee or garlic toast, but if you're not cleaning your teeth at least twice daily, there may be a more serious issue.
The oral bacteria in your mouth—the same bacteria that caused the cavity in the first place—is what causes unpleasant breath from a cavity.
4. Sensitivity to temperatures
Your teeth and gums ought to be slightly sensitive to heat and cold, considering that every tooth has its own nerves. Anywhere a cavity develops on a tooth, it has the potential to get so big that it begins to irritate the tooth's nerves and cause pain.
When this happens, you could discover that eating ice cream or drinking warm soup is excruciatingly uncomfortable. In addition to being irritating and uncomfortable, such intense sensitivity is a sign of tooth decay.
5. Stained teeth
Do you realize that tooth yellowing might be more than simply an aesthetic issue? While simple activities like drinking coffee or red wine can discolor enamel, cavities can also cause discoloration. Cavities can be any color, ranging from yellow to brown to black. To assess these areas and ensure that your mouth is healthy, it's best to schedule yearly dental cleanings and visit your dentist for a checkup at least twice a year.