Oral health is one of the aspects of health that we should remember to take care of. Some medical conditions end up being part of the cause or the result of your oral health. This happens because oral health is also one of the most neglected in terms of physical health.
Your teeth are also within that scope of oral health. It is also the most prone to damage with constant contact with food. Dental cavities are the second most common disease in America next to the common cold.
Which telltale signs you have a cavity would show up? We will look at these cavity signs and find ways to prevent them.
Sensitivity to Heat or Cold
One of the cavity signs that you would notice comes in the form of tooth sensitivity. You would notice this sharp pain after eating something cold like ice cream or something warm like soup.
If you experience this, there is a possibility that your tooth might have cavities. The main reason behind this is due to the thinning of the tooth enamel due to the bacteria.
There is a hard tissue layer beneath the enamel called dentin. This layer has microscopic hollow tubes on it. Without the protective enamel, foods that are hot or cold would end up stimulating the nerves and cells in the tooth.
One of the ways to prevent this is by not brushing too hard to prevent the thinning. Avoid teeth-grinding and acidic foods as well. As for treatment, you can also use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Visible Tooth Discoloration
Another sight would take the form of tooth discoloration. This one is a rather visible sign when you look in the mirror, and you open your mouth to see your teeth. You would know that a cavity is underway when you notice the dark spots on the tooth surface.
These dark spots would start small. Although these would grow over time as they signal the damage occurring on the tooth. The color of the stain would vary between brown, black, or white. These usually manifest on the surface.
When left unchecked, this could lead to another symptom that is harder to ignore. To the point that it needs immediate attention. What this means is that you mean going to the dentist right away.
Holes or Craters on Tooth
As mentioned above, if you left the tooth unchecked and you did not take any action in providing care to it, this becomes the next symptom. Aside from the coloration growing darker, you would notice the holes or cracks on the tooth.
This is the point where the cavity progresses, inflicting damage on the tooth as it now risks the tissue inside with exposure. This can cause severe pain and leave you in discomfort for months on end.
When you notice the holes in your teeth, you need to take action by going to the dentist. They have the skill set to treat this with proper procedures.
The most likely approach would be the dental fillings procedure, which can help patch up the holes formed. Extensive damage may lead to tooth extraction.
Bad Breath
Another aspect of oral health would be toward our breath. Bad breath tends to be the symptom that would tell you about an issue within the body. For this particular context, bad breath is a sign that you have tooth cavities and decay.
In this case, the bacteria that cause tooth decay also cause halitosis or bad breath. You would notice this when you brush your tongue or teeth. You might even be able to taste the bad breath in your mouth.
For this situation, you also need to visit the dentist to have it treated. The best way is to catch it and prevent further damage before it becomes harder to handle. The earlier you address the issue, the cheaper the costs.
Pain or Discomfort
We mentioned earlier how tooth decay left untreated could lead to pain. When you notice no visible signs, this is one cavity sign that you would not be able to ignore. Once you feel pain, set your appointment with the dentist and have it checked.
In earlier stages, you might feel the pain when you bite down on something hard such as candy. At later stages, you would experience this pain when biting down on softer items. It has gone for the worst when you experience a constant toothache.
There may be times that you would resort to using painkillers. It may ease the pain for a moment, but that relief wouldn’t last long. As mentioned earlier, you have to stop the decay from progressing and inflicting more damage.
Swelling and Bleeding Gums
This particular symptom could also be a separate oral issue, as for the case of gingivitis. Other times, this would be due to the cavity being close to the gum area. Noting how cavities involve bacteria buildup, this could also lead to swelling and bleeding.
You would notice this when brushing and flossing. After brushing for a good bit, you would notice the blood when you spit out. This would be best checked with the dentist as they can provide you preventive measures and treatments to address both the gums and the dental cavity.
If you end up leaving this portion unchecked, however, this could lead to another complication in the form of gum disease or periodontitis.
Look For the Telltale Signs You Have a Cavity and Visit Your Dentist Today
Once you notice the signs you have a cavity, do not hesitate to visit the dentist. The other underlying problem is that you would not easily notice these signs right away. So, do regular checkups and keep your teeth in perfect condition today!
Do you want to learn more about oral health and what you can do about it? There’s much more you can do other than brushing and flossing your teeth. Check out more of our guides to learn all you can about oral health today!
