Cleaning your teeth is very important when it comes to getting rid of the bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities. However, even if you are diligent about brushing your teeth twice a day, every single day, you may still end up with cavities. Almost everyone will experience some sort of oral health issue at one point in their lives. But if you know the signs to watch out for, and get the issues taken care of early, you can avoid serious issues!
Cavities are one of the most common dental issues. Below are some common signs of cavities. If you have one of more of these, you should book an appointment with your dentist so they can take care of any issues before they become serious!
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You Notice Bad Breath
Cavities on the tooth are packed with bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath). The accumulation of bacteria can make it harder to get fresh breath, even with you brush your teeth or use mouthwash.
If your bad breath is not going away under normal conditions, this is a major sign that you have a cavity and should make an appointment with your dentist. The sooner you address it, the sooner it can be resolved and the less likely it will develop into a serious issue.
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There is a Hole in Your Tooth
A very clear sign that you have a cavity is if you can see or feel a hole in your tooth. The best way you can test it, is by running your tongue over your teeth. If you feel any dents, this is a good sign that you have a hole in your tooth, and therefore, a cavity. You can use a mirror to see if there are any visible holes in your tooth. If you are trying to look at your top teeth, you may need a dental mirror in order to see the holes.
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You See Dark Spots
Dark spots are a sign of long-term, untreated cavities. These are more likely to appear first on your tooth, before holes will. When you have dark spots on your tooth, this means the bacteria are already eating their way through the enamel on your tooth. If you see dark spots on your tooth, you should get it treated right away.
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You Experience Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth are often a separate issue that some people experience when they eat or drink certain foods, or foods are a certain temperature (like very hot, or very cold). If you have a cavity, there is an increased chance that you will experience sensitivity.
Sensitivity occurs because the teeth become hypersensitive to bacteria and other types of external stimuli that erode your tooth’s enamel. When the enamel erodes, the nerves in your tooth are more exposed, allowing them to come into direct contact with the food and drinks you are putting in your mouth, and you will feel it.
If you are experiencing sensitivity in a specific area of your mouth, on a specific tooth, have more sensitivity than usual, or have not had sensitive teeth before, but do now you should talk to your dentist, as this can be a sign of a cavity.
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Tooth Pain
Untreated cavities can eventually lead to tooth pain. This pain may be something that you experience when you are chewing or biting down on something hard. It can also appear out of nowhere, though. This pain may come and go, or become more consistent and frequent over time. Before the pain becomes unbearable, you should have your tooth checked out to get to the root of the problem.
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You Have a Broken or Chipped Tooth
If you know that you did not chip or break your tooth during extreme impact, this should be cause for concern. When you have a cavity, the chip may occur when you bite down on something that is hard, or use force. Normally, this type of force would not break a tooth. If this happens to you, contact your dentist so you can have it fixed before the broken or chipped tooth has the chance to spread further and cause more issues.
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You Develop Pus Teeth
The appearance of pus is a more serious sign that you have a cavity. At this point, the cavity has become an abscess. If this is the case, you will notice that the area around the gums is inflamed, red, and swollen. You may also be experiencing pain accompanied by a fever.
This is something you need to get treated as soon as possible. You dentist will normally prescribe antibiotics that will kill the bacteria that has spread, and also help resolve any other issues that resulted from the cavity or abscess.
If you see the signs of a cavity, you should not ignore it, no matter what stage it is in. The earlier you catch it, the better. Having a cavity treated early helps to ensure it does not develop into a more serious issue, which could negatively impact your overall health. More serious issues will also cost more to fix, so taking care of the problem early will not only keep you healthier, it will also save you money. So, if you suspect you have a cavity, make an appointment with our dentist as soon as possible so you can get it treated and keep your teeth healthy!