46241 Dentists Share Signs of Cavities
Cavities are a dental issue that gets progressively worse as time goes by. Therefore, it’s extremely important to catch them early and prevent any other complications from developing. Also, it’s good to know that cavities are not only detectable by feeling pain or sensitivity. And, if you feel pain from a cavity, it has likely already been developing for some time.
To be able to spot a cavity early on, it’s important to know and understand how tooth decay works. When we eat, the bacteria in our mouths breaks down food particles and, in the process, produce acid that slowly eats away at the surfaces of our teeth. Then, as time progresses, this erosion creates a soft spot and once the tooth enamel has been sufficiently worn down, a cavity will be formed.
During a typical dental visit, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of cavities. However, if you do not visit the dentist on a regular basis, it’s a good idea to learn what to look out for so that you can spot cavities early on before they develop into anything worse.
• Increased Sensitivity
As a cavity develops, it will eat away at the protective enamel of your tooth and will expose the sensitive dentin on the inside of your teeth. In turn, this makes your tooth much more sensitive to sugar, as well as hot or cold foods and drinks. Even a tiny piece of food getting caught inside a cavity can often be enough to cause extreme discomfort and pain.
• Changes in Color
Changes in the color of your teeth is often the very first visible signs that a cavity is in the process of developing. You will likely be able to see this before you even begin feeling any pain or sensitivity. This happens as acid begins to change the color of the affected area. Often, you’ll be able to notice a slightly off-white spot on your tooth before a cavity fully develops. It’s important to know that at this stage, the tooth decay can often be reversed without needing a filling.
• Pain or Discomfort
A cavity will eventually start to cause an increased sensitivity in the affected tooth. If left untreated, tooth decay can begin causing extreme pain even when you’re not chewing or drinking anything. This chronic or persistent pain is often a sure-fire sign that a cavity is forming in one of your teeth. Also, persistent pain can be a sign of infection and should be looked at by your dentist as soon as possible.
While these are three obvious signs that you may have a cavity, it’s important to note that not all cavities develop in the same manner and sometimes, they develop in spots that are impossible to see by simply looking in the mirror. For reasons such as these, it’s important that you let your 46241 dentists examine your teeth regularly to rule out the presence of tooth decay.
