What Are The Beginning Symptoms of a Cavity?

A cavity is a damaged part of the hard surface of a tooth that develops into small holes or openings. These holes are also known as caries or tooth decay. Cavities result from several different factors like consuming too much sugar, not taking proper care of your teeth, not getting the essential nutrients your teeth need and the bacteria in your mouth.

If you find yourself with a cavity or two, you are not alone. Tooth decay is actually one of the most common dental diseases in the world. In addition, tooth decay can lead to a host of significantly worse issues if left unchecked. It can even lead to the total loss of the tooth.

The best protection you have against developing a cavity is taking proper care of your teeth. That includes brushing and flossing daily, eating nutritious foods, and regular visits to our dental office.

Common symptoms of a cavity

The symptoms associated with tooth decay and cavities vary depending on the tooth in question and its location in your mouth. You are more likely not to notice any symptoms when a cavity is just developing. However, as the size of the hole created by the decay continues to expand, you may experience symptoms like:

• Increased sensitivity of the tooth in question

• Toothaches

• Pain when drinking or eating

• Holes or depressions in your teeth

• Stains on the surface of a tooth

• Pain when the tooth is touched

The reality is that it is rather difficult to detect cavities when they're still forming. That is one of the big advantages of regular visits to your dentist's clinic for dental cleanings and checkups. Most people do not realize they have cavities until they start experiencing some pain. The problem is that there is already significant damage at that point.

What causes a cavity?

The main cause of cavities is tooth decay. This tooth decay primarily results from bacteria in your mouth breaking down food particles into acids. These acids damage the enamel of your teeth, leading to tooth decay.

In addition, food particles in your mouth turn into dental plaque when you fail to properly clean your teeth. The bacteria in there start feasting on these particles. If this plaque remains on your teeth for extended periods of time, it will eventually turn into tartar and facilitate tooth decay. People cannot remove tartar with brushing and flossing. People will need a professional dental cleaning to remove tartar.

If a cavity does not receive treatment, it will eventually make its way to the pulp chamber where the pulp and nerves of the tooth are. Once exposed to air, saliva, and food particles, the pulp can easily become infected. Once infected, a root canal treatment or an extraction must be performed to prevent the infection from spreading further.

Contact Family Choice Dental to learn more about cavities and how to prevent them.

Request a dental appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque dental office.