Cavities can cause a lot of trouble if they are left untreated. They are also referred to as “tooth decay,” and they are caused by many things such as bacteria in the mouth, junk food, snacks with lots of sugar and not frequently brushing your teeth. A cavity is one of the most common dental problems for patients, and if it is left untreated, it can affect other areas of the mouth and lead to tooth loss and infection. Below, we’ll run through the top five signs which may indicate that you have a cavity:
1. Bad Breath
Bad breath is a common sign of a cavity because the bacteria that cause bad breath also lead to cavities. When you notice bad breath or a chronic bad taste in your mouth, you should get your teeth checked out as soon as possible as this may be a sign of a cavity that needs to be filled. You should also start brushing your teeth more often and/or laying off junk food that’s high in sugar before and after your visit to a dentist.
2. White Spots
White spots forming on your teeth are an early sign of decay. These areas indicate spots where minerals from the surface of your teeth have been lost. When these signs appear, it’s not too late to stop or prevent a cavity that may be forming, but you should contact our dentist immediately.
3. Holes in Teeth
Cavities often lead to the creation of holes in your teeth. As a cavity progresses, when left untreated for extended periods of time, it can create nasty holes in your teeth that can be visibly seen and felt with a finger or your tongue. Holes in your teeth are never a good sign of proper dental hygiene, and if you notice them, you should contact a dentist immediately as this, more often than not, is a sign of a cavity.
4. Sensitive Teeth
If you constantly feel pain in your teeth, this can also mean you have a cavity. If using a toothbrush designed for sensitive teeth still doesn’t fix this problem, you may have a tooth cavity, and you should get checked for one immediately.
5. Constant Toothaches
You may have a cavity if you are constantly experiencing toothaches (especially when it is not the cause of tooth damage from biting into hard food). Sometimes this pain can be very severe and last one or two days. At this stage, the cavity has reached sensitive nerve areas in your teeth, and it is a must that you immediately get it checked out.
If you experience at least one or more of these symptoms, get in touch with the office of Larry Saylor, DMD in Brandon. Contact us today to book a dental appointment and learn more information.
