Telltale Symptoms That Alert You to Tooth Cavities

Cavities are tiny holes that form on teeth surfaces due to acids made by oral bacteria, and having cavities is the top reason that people seek dental care. Most people will get them treated at some point in their lives.

Your risk of developing cavities goes up if you have a sweet tooth. Oral bacteria love to consume sugars left in the mouth and excrete acids as waste products. These acids cause tooth decay.

Signs that indicate that you have cavities

Cavities often do not cause any symptoms in their early stages, making them tricky to detect. Dentists often notice developing cavities during routine check-ups. As a general rule, the earlier that a cavity is detected, the cheaper it is to treat it. The patient also ends up dealing with less pain when a cavity is detected early and treated immediately. Signs that indicate that someone has cavities include the following. 

1. Increased teeth sensitivity

Cavities often lead to increased tooth sensitivity because they leave the inner layers of teeth exposed to irritants in the mouth. Teeth are protected by an outer layer called the enamel, which is designed to handle irritants and extreme temperatures.

Tooth decay eats through enamel, leaving the more sensitive inner dentin exposed. The dentin contains tiny nerve endings that are highly sensitive to extreme temperatures and sugars. Increased teeth sensitivity can interfere with the ability to enjoy food.

2. Discoloration

Having cavities is just one of the symptoms of tooth decay. Tooth decay can also lead to teeth turning brownish or black. A tooth turning darker than the others might be a sign of tooth decay.

3. Toothaches

Cavities often cause sporadic toothaches. The intensity of the toothaches tends to intensify the longer that the tooth goes untreated. The toothache is sometimes spurred by touching the affected tooth, consuming something sweet or cold, or biting down on something. The toothaches associated with cavities occur due to the inflammation caused by tooth decay.

4. Bad breath

At times, cavities also cause bad breath or an odd taste in the mouth. The odor can be caused by bacteria populations in the mouth reaching unhealthy levels or the tooth becoming infected.

5. Swollen, bleeding gums

The same type of bacteria causes cavities and gum disease. At times, cavities form around the gum line, enabling bacteria in plaque and tartar to make their way in. The immune system responds by sending antibodies to fight the invading microorganisms, leading to the chronic inflammation called gum disease.

We treat cavities

Our dentist has a solution for your cavities regardless of how much the holes have expanded. Treatments like the application of dental fillings and the placement of restorations like crowns can be used to save decaying teeth. Call or stop by our Tomball location to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drbohan.com or call Heather Feray Bohan, DDS, PA at (281) 864-1581 for an appointment in our Tomball office.

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