Signs You May Have a Tooth Cavity
When food and bacteria build up in your teeth it can form plaque, which has the ability to erode the enamel on the surface of your teeth. If eroded enough, a cavity can form a hole in your tooth. Cavities can be very painful and endanger the health of your teeth if untreated, so how can you know when to consult your dentist in Bondi?
Luckily, there are several signs that you can watch out for that indicate the beginning of a cavity. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
Toothache
The most obvious cavity symptom is an ongoing ache in one of the affected teeth. Any pain in the teeth should be a cause for alarm, especially if it is long lasting. Sometimes this ache will appear out of nowhere, or you will feel it after eating something, pain and pressure returning everytime you bite down.
Hot and cold sensitivity
Sensitivity that lingers after eating hot or cold food could be a sign that you have a cavity. The enamel on the outside of your teeth is what protects you from sensitivity, and when this begins to wear away, foods that are hot, cold, sticky, or acidic are able to reach the sensitive nerve inside your tooth. This is what causes the pain.
Some people have general tooth sensitivity, but this is likely to be across multiple teeth and a more muted pain. Sensitivity due to a cavity will be sharper and localized only to the affected tooth.
Lingering sensitivity to sweets
Along with hot and cold sensitivity, Although hot and cold are the most common sensitivities when you have a cavity, a lingering ache when consuming sweets and sugary drinks can also point to tooth decay.
This is once again the result of damage to the enamel and, more specifically, the start of a cavity. Biting down on any sort of chewy sweet is likely to result in severe pain that lasts a few minutes after consumption, and this could be a sign to contact your Bondi Junction dentist.
Tooth staining
This may be difficult to see on teeth further back in your mouth, but if you keep an eye on the appearance of your teeth, you may notice Stains on affected teeth. This will generally first appear as white spots and grow darker as the cavity ages. Staining caused by a cavity can be brown, black, or white, and typically appears on the surface of the tooth.
Your tooth shape has changed
If at any point you are running your tongue across your teeth and feel that something is different, it is possible this may be an indication of a cavity. There are instances where your tooth will chip without decay, but anything that feels odd, especially if it feels like a hole, should be looked at by your dentist in Bondi.
Some holes, especially those in between your teeth or in crevices, can’t be seen or felt. But you may still feel pain or sensitivity in the area of the cavity. So always keep an eye out for other symptoms.
When to see a dentist
If you have a concern about a possible cavity, it’s time to make an appointment to see your dentist. If you feel any sensitivity to temperature or sweets, or especially if you notice a severe change to your tooth shape, make an appointment with your dentist to evaluate the tooth, especially if the symptoms have been present for more than a day.
The faster you get your tooth looked at, the easier it will be to fix as the larger cavity becomes, the more work the tooth will need. So if you feel any symptoms, don’t hesitate to book an appointment.
What can you do to prevent a cavity?
The best way to treat a cavity is to prevent them in the first place, so here are some of the best ways to protect yourself against tooth decay issues:
See your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste
Establish a regular flossing routine, cleaning between your teeth at least once a day with floss or a water flosser.
Drink water throughout the day to help rinse your teeth
Conclusion
So if you have any concerns about pain in your teeth or other symptoms of decay and are looking for a reliable dentist in Woollahra - get in contact with the team at Optimal Dental care so we can offer you ways to repair your teeth and prevent cavities in the future.
