Are you suffering from a toothache?
If your tooth has been bothering you but you’re unsure of what’s causing it, it could be a sign of a cavity.
If that’s the case, you’re probably wondering if you should just wait until your next checkup to discuss it with your dentist, especially if the pain is mild, or if you should head to the doctor sooner to handle the issue.
Read on to learn about cavity symptoms and how to know if you should take the pain seriously.
Chronic Pain
Sometimes we get a toothache and then it goes away. It could be because a nerve is irritated or some other passing issue that goes away quickly.
However, if the pain becomes chronic for more than a few days, you should see a doctor right away.
You may notice the pain is worse when biting or chewing so that’s going to be a problem as you won’t be able to eat normally. If biting or chewing becomes painful it likely means that the cavity has reached the nerve.
When this is the case, it’s a serious cavity and you shouldn’t wait until your next cleaning to address it.
Sensitivity
If you’re feeling an ache when you eat or drink hot foods, cold foods or foods that have sugar in them, this could mean a cavity is formed and it’s causing a problem.
Before you rush to the doctor, try a sensitive toothpaste to see if that alleviates the pain. If it works, you likely don’t have a cavity and are just experiencing some tooth sensitivity which is very common.
If the pain persists, it is probably a cavity and the sensitive toothpaste will not help.
Bad Breath
If you suddenly have bad breath even though you brush and floss regularly, this could mean a serious cavity.
Cavities do cause bacteria which can create bad breath but the cavity has to be damaging the tooth significantly for the bacteria to overpower regular brushing and flossing.
If this is happening, you’ve likely already experienced tooth pain and the bad breath means the problem is only getting worse, so head to the dentist right away!
Cracked Teeth
If you see a cracked tooth and can trace it back to something you bit into or a fall, then you don’t have to worry about a cavity.
But if you see your tooth has cracked and you have no idea why, it could be due to the bacteria from a cavity.
Cavity bacteria can make your teeth weak, allowing them to crack easily. You don’t want to risk losing the tooth or having it break off.
Dark Spots
Watch for dark spots that appear on the tooth.
While this could be a stain that appeared over time from food or coffee, it could also be a sign of the bacterial growth caused by a cavity.
If the spot seems to appear out of nowhere and continue to grow, head to the doctor.
Watch for These Cavity Symptoms Today
With the guide above, you can keep a watchful eye out for cavity symptoms.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms for more than a few days in a row, you should make an appointment with your dentist so you don’t risk further damage to your tooth.
Contact us to make an appointment today and be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more helpful tips.