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6 Symptoms of a Tooth Cavity

tooth decay

Cavities are among the most frequently occurring dental issues. In fact, studies indicate that 9 out of 10 people will have at least one cavity at some point in their life, and many people will have multiple cavities throughout the course of their lives. However, what do cavities look like on teeth, and how can you tell if you have one? Continue reading to find all the information you need regarding the appearance of cavities and the symptoms that indicate you may have one.

What Are Cavities Like?
What do cavities look like? This is one of the most often asked questions that individuals have concerning cavities. The fact of the matter is that one cavity can seem extremely different from another cavity. They might vary in size and appearance. In general, they appear to be little holes or chips in the teeth.

They might also look like dark patches on the teeth, and they can be different sizes, ranging from a small hole in a tooth that is hard to see to a large cavity that is nearly as big as the tooth itself. You can have cavities that you cannot see because some cavities are so little that they are invisible to the human eye.

What is a cavity?
What is a cavity, exactly? To put it simply, a cavity is a hole in your tooth. Cavities can form in any of your teeth, and they can also develop between your teeth. In fact, cavities can occur anywhere in your mouth. They indicate that your teeth are decaying, and decayed teeth frequently have a lot of cavities.

What are the causes of cavities?
How do cavities form in the first place? Teeth are quite tough and naturally resistant, but they cannot maintain that strength indefinitely. The meals you eat and the liquids you consume expose your teeth to a variety of substances, and over time, the tough enamel coating that protects your teeth begins to wear away.

If you eat a lot of acidic meals, the enamel layer on your teeth will break down and your teeth will be less protected since the acid in food is very damaging to this coating. Furthermore, the bacteria in your mouth can consume sugary meals, which leads to the production of even more acids that accumulate as plaque around your teeth.

As tooth decay progresses, the enamel deteriorates, and white patches may develop on your teeth. If the damage is permitted to worsen without giving the enamel time to heal, an early cavity may begin to develop, and it will continue to become larger as time goes on.

How to Determine if You Have a Cavity
Cavities are unpleasant, and it is advisable to get professional treatment as soon as you notice any symptoms. If not, you may end up with a rotten tooth and even more serious issues. Fortunately, there are a number of warning signals that may indicate the presence of a cavity. The following are some of the most frequently seen indicators.

Toothache
A toothache is a typical indication that you have cavities. Depending on the size and depth of the cavity in issue, you may have a dull discomfort in your mouth or even on the sides of your face, which may extend to your head.

Gums that are swollen or bleeding
Cavities can also cause damage to your gums. They have the ability to get swollen and begin to bleed. If you have any discomfort, irritation, or bleeding from your gums, you may have a cavity that has to be addressed as soon as possible.

Sensitivity
When people have cavities, the sensitive nerve endings are exposed, which causes their teeth to become more sensitive. As a result, you might feel pain or discomfort when you eat hot meals or drink anything that is very cold.

A tooth that has dark or discolored areas
You can also check for cavities by looking at your teeth in the mirror or by having a friend or family member help you. As mentioned before, cavities frequently show up as black patches on the teeth. They could be yellow, brown, or black in color.

Hole in the tooth
When you can see a hole in one of your teeth, it is one of the most evident symptoms that you have a cavity. Before you can notice a cavity in this way, you will usually have other symptoms, such as pain and sensitivity.

Bad breath
Cavities and dental decay may also be causes of bad breath. When teeth decay and rot away because of acid, germs, and plaque, it is normal for bad smells to start to surface. This can lead to breath that is not very fresh.

Ways to Avoid Cavities
There are a number of things you may do to prevent cavities from developing. Here are some easy tips that you can follow:
Ideally, you should brush your teeth twice a day using a high-quality toothpaste that contains fluoride to help prevent cavities.
To remove any food that may be lodged or trapped between your teeth, floss your teeth routinely after meals or in the evening.
Make an effort to eat a balanced diet and stay away from items that are too high in sugar or acid.
Make sure you visit your local dentist for frequent check-ups.

What is the treatment for cavities?
If you have a cavity, you should go to the dentist to get it treated. Cavities will not heal or go away on their own. If they are not treated, they might grow larger and lead to more serious tooth disease. Although your dentist will be able to cure the cavity, it can cause considerable tooth pain and agony. Depending on the size and depth of the cavity and the overall condition of the tooth, they may employ different techniques.

Fillings: If cavities are detected early, they can often be filled with a composite material, metal, or porcelain filling.
Crowns: If the tooth decay is already extremely serious, the dentist may remove the affected area of the tooth and build a crown to cover up the damage.
Root Canal : In the most serious cases, when the root of the tooth is dead or injured, the entire nerve, blood vessels, and the rotting tooth will need to be removed and sealed up in a process called as a root canal.
Make sure to practice good oral hygiene and inform your dentist if you notice any symptoms in order to prevent dental cavities. If you find a cavity sooner rather than later, you will probably only need a dental filling instead of a more complicated procedure.

Your dental health is our number one priority. If you are having any of these symptoms or think you might have a cavity, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to make an appointment.

Get In Touch
Marianne Cohan, DDS

Summerlin Dental Solutions

851 S Rampart Blvd #230

Las Vegas, NV 89145

Phone: (702) 341-9160

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851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160
851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160
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Based on 94 reviews
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