Signs that Indicate a Need for Tooth Decay Treatment
Although cavities are most common among kids, adults are also more prone to them. It’s mainly when the gums start receding away from the teeth. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 30% of adults in America have untreated cavities. If you are one of them, it can damage your teeth and cause more severe health problems.
Getting a cavity treatment early can help to prevent or stop the spread of decay. The Gilbert dentist usually determines the signs of decay and further issues using X-ray technology for a simple exam.
What Are Cavities?
Cavities are the infected regions in the mouth that collect small food bits and become home to the bacteria.
Where Decay Can Develop?
Areas that are at a high risk of building plaque include:
- Between the teeth.
- The base of teeth is located close to the gums.
- Chewing surfaces of molars.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
If you are facing the following symptoms, get the treatment for decay as soon as possible:
Toothache
Constant and sharp pain in the tooth indicates cavities in the mouth. Sometimes, the pain occurs when you eat something or suddenly. In the initial stages of cavities, you feel no pain or mild pain. However, in the advanced stages of decay, it causes unbearable and constant pain in the teeth whether you talk, eat, or do nothing.
Tooth Sensitivity
If you have sensitivity to cold and hot things, but it stays even after, it is a sign of cavities. When the tooth enamel starts wearing off, it significantly affects the dentin layer. So when we consume cold, hot acidic, or sticky foods and drinks, it stimulates the nerves and cells within the tooth. It makes you feel sensitive to certain things.
Bad Breath and Strange Taste
If you see an unpleasant taste and bad breath in your mouth that stays for longer, it can be due to tooth decay. Our mouth bacteria generates waste. It is what leads to an unpleasant taste and breath in the mouth.
Swelling or Bleeding in the Gums
Bleeding or swollen gums, mainly when flossing or brushing teeth is a sign of gingivitis. If this is the case with you, schedule a trip to the dental clinic near you as soon as possible. The tooth infection usually occurs when the cavity is near the gum lining. It also causes a significant impact on the nearby soft tissues in the mouth and declines oral health.
Discoloration
Another sign of the cavity could be discoloration of the tooth. If you notice brown, bright white, or black stains on your tooth, get a dental check-up today. The dentist will help you treat your discolored tooth or teeth using chairside bleaching or other methods.
Sharp Pain with Pressure
If you have dental caries, you feel intense pain in your tooth when biting down or applying pressure. Tooth pain with pressure can also be due to a dental problem. Fix an appointment at Town Square Dental today to determine the exact cause behind it.
No Signs at All
Most people don’t know they have a cavity till they visit the clinic for a routine dental check-up. Therefore even if you don’t notice an issue with your teeth, it is crucial to fix an appointment with a dentist near you. Usually, cavities in their initial stages do not show any symptoms. But they can create trouble in getting dental treatment on a timely basis.
Lingering Sensitivity to Sweets
Lingering sensitivity to sugary and sweet drinks and foods could also indicate signs of decay. The discomfort usually occurs from tooth enamel damage and when the cavity begins.
Pits or Holes in the Tooth
White spots on the tooth signify the starting of cavities. With time, they create holes in the tooth. You will notice pits in the tooth only when you run a tongue over the tooth surface or when you see in the mirror. Sometimes, you cannot see a few holes, mainly in the crevices or between the teeth. However, you will feel some sensitivity or pain in that area.
To treat these small holes in the tooth, the dentist uses dental filling. The expert will eradicate the decay first and fill the visible holes using filling material.