Knowing how to tell if you have a cavity can help you save your natural teeth and protect your smile. Most adults have at least one filling, and many have tooth decay that has not received dental treatment. Treating a cavity in the early stages can save you considerable expense and time in dental treatment. If you notice any of the signs or symptoms of a cavity, contact Trident General Dentistry for an evaluation.
What is a Cavity?
A dental cavity forms when tooth decay, also known as dental caries, penetrates the enamel of your tooth. Even though enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it is vulnerable to damage by acids found in dental plaque. These acids remove minerals to cause a tiny hole in the enamel. If not treated in the early stages, bacteria can infiltrate the entire depths of the enamel.
Once through the enamel, bacteria begin destroying the inner layer of hard tooth structure known as dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel and more easily damaged by tooth decay. Once the cavity reaches dentin, tooth destruction occurs rapidly and can lead to infection.
Fluoridated water has helped reduce the occurrence of dental cavities. However, tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease in children and adults. More than $100 billion is spent each year on treating the damage caused by dental cavities.
What Causes a Cavity to Form?
The bacteria present in your mouth turn sugary and high-carbohydrate foods into acids when food debris remains around your teeth. These acids combine with other bacteria and food debris to form plaque, which causes tooth decay.
Cavities form more easily in children due to lack of oral hygiene and consuming high-sugar foods and beverages. But adults are not immune to cavities. As you age, receding gums can expose your roots which lack the protection of hard enamel. Cavities form easier on roots and can quickly lead to the loss of a tooth.
Here are some factors that place you at a higher risk for cavities:
· Foods and beverages with a high sugar or carbohydrate content.
· Lack of fluoride ingestion.
· Poor oral hygiene
· Dry mouth
· Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
· Acid reflux
· Defective dental fillings and dental crowns
Signs and Symptoms of a Cavity
Every part of a tooth exposed to your oral cavity has the potential of getting a cavity. This includes the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth and all the areas between your teeth not accessible to toothbrushing. Some of these areas are visible when you look in the mirror, but others stay hidden without a dental x-ray. The result is that some cavities are visible while others can go undetected without a dental examination.
There are several signs that you have a cavity in the initial stages. There are also a few symptoms that you might have a cavity that requires immediate dental treatment.
Some of the common signs and symptoms include:
· Discoloration. Tooth decay can cause white, brown, or black staining of enamel.
· Sensitivity. Once the cavity gets close to the dentin of your tooth, it can cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. Typically, this is a sharp pain that goes away quickly. As the cavity gets larger, this sensitivity can become more severe.
· Hole or Pit. What begins as a discoloration eventually causes a physical defect in the enamel. You may see a hole or feel it with your tongue.
· Biting Pain. A cavity can weaken or place a small crack in your tooth to create pain when you chew on it.
· Toothache. Once the tooth decay infects the dental pulp beneath the dentin, you can experience mild or throbbing pain.
· Bad Breath or Taste. The bacteria that cause your cavity can also cause halitosis (bad breath) or a persistent bad taste in your mouth.
· Swelling. A severe cavity can cause an abscessed tooth which infects the gums around your tooth. You may notice a slight swelling in your gums or a more considerable swelling in your jaw or face.
· No Signs, No Symptoms. Dental plaque can silently damage your tooth. You may progress from discoloration of your tooth’s enamel to an abscessed tooth and not know it. This makes regular dental checkups essential to maintain optimal oral health.
Visit Trident General Dentistry Today
We hope you now know how to tell if you have a cavity and their common signs and symptoms. Trident General Dentistry can treat dental cavities at their various stages. However, we would like to help you prevent tooth decay from damaging your teeth. To learn more about the prevention and treatment of dental cavities, contact us today.