Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth, and regular visits to your dentist are the key ways of preventing cavities, but how do you know if you do have a cavity? Here our dentist explains some of the signs and symptoms of cavities.
What is a cavity?
Both 'cavities' and 'dental caries' are alternative terms to describe tooth decay.
Cavities are decayed and damaged areas of your teeth that develop into small openings or holes. Cavities can be caused by a number of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, poor oral hygiene, snacking on sweet foods, and consuming sugary drinks.
What are the signs that you may have a cavity?
When a cavity is beginning to form you probably won't have any noticeable symptoms at all. That's why regular dental checkups and cleanings are so important to maintaining good oral health.
Cavities could actually be forming in your mouth even when your mouth feels fine.
That said, when cavities gets larger you will likely develop some of the following symptoms:
- Sudden toothache or pain without any apparent cause
- Sharp pain when biting down on foods
- Unusual tooth sensitivity
- Mild to sharp pain when you are eating or drinking anything hot, cold or sweet
- You can see holes or small pits in your teeth
- Staining on the surface of your tooth
Only your dentist will be able to tell for sure whether you have a cavity. If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed above you should contact your dentist immediately to book an appointment.