7 Signs You May Have a Cavity

Your Tooth is Aching

One of the most obvious signs of a cavity is a toothache.

The first thing you’ll need to do if your tooth is aching is to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. A toothache isn’t something that should be ignored or pushed to a later date. It could be a sign of widespread infection.

When you seek treatment sooner rather than later, you’re helping yourself heal more quickly, experience less pain, and deal with fewer dental or medical bills. Cavities that are allowed to grow and get worse are often costlier to handle and treat.

Sensitive Brushing

Are you brushing your teeth twice per day? If so, how are you brushing your teeth? We love to help educate our patients on the correct brushing technique as many people don’t know there is a right way to brush.

Using a moderate amount of pressure and working in small circles is an excellent way to keep your teeth clean and reduce negative sensations during brushing. Most electric toothbrushes have a light that will turn red if you are applying too much pressure to your teeth while brushing. This light acts as a great aid and reminder to brush lighter. Aggressive brushing can also create problems.

Sensitivity to brushing can be caused by a number of things. Cavities are one of them, but another cause could be as simple as gum recession.

Bad Breath

Another sign you may have a cavity is bad breath. Sure, you could chalk it up to morning coffee or an onion bagel, but if you’re not brushing at least twice per day, there might be something else going on.

Bad breath from a cavity is caused by the oral bacteria that a person has in their mouth, the same bacteria that caused the cavity to form in the first place.

Sensitivity to Heat and Cold

It’s normal for your gums and teeth to be somewhat sensitive to heat and cold. After all, each tooth has its own nerves. When a cavity forms anywhere on a tooth, the decay can grow large enough over time, that it starts to irritate the nerves of the tooth causing a tooth pain.

When this occurs, you may find that sipping warm soup or eating ice cream is unbearably painful. Such extreme sensitivity is not only annoying and uncomfortable, but a symptom of tooth decay.

Stains on the Teeth

Did you know that discoloration of teeth may be more than just discoloration? While teeth can be stained from simple things like drinking coffee or red wine, teeth also discolor when a cavity a present. Cavities can be anywhere from yellow to brown to black in color. We recommended regular dental cleanings and 6 month recalls to evaluate these areas and make sure your mouth is staying healthy.

You Can See a Hole

If you can clearly spot a hole in one of your teeth, this is almost always a sign that a cavity has been left untreated for some time.

Individuals who don’t regularly visit the dentist may encounter this particular sign. That’s why it’s so essential to see your dentist at least twice per year. If you don’t, long-term tooth decay can cause serious problems.

Painful Eating

If biting down while eating becomes a painful experience, you need to seek dental care. Not only may you have a cavity, but you might also be dealing with an infection.

A cavity that has allowed bacteria to grow within the tooth pulp can be excruciatingly painful and impossible to ignore. You shouldn’t be afraid to reach out for emergency care, even if the initial solution is a sudden root canal procedure.

Find a Dentist in Hudson, WI

There are several warning signs of a cavity. If you know how to spot these symptoms, you can take quick action to prevent further decay. The sooner you begin treating and preventing cavities, the better off your teeth and gums will be.Many times, cavities can be taken care of with white fillings, occasionally crowns/caps are needed. If decay has really progressed, root canal therapy may be needed.

Did any of the above cavity signs and symptoms ring a bell with you? Are you looking for a dentist in Hudson, WI? Schedule an appointment with us. We would love to see you.