Four Ways to Tell if You Have a Cavity
When you make a trip into your dentist’s office, the first question that they ask is if you have any cavities. The hope is that people will come back with a big smile and a no. Our dentists want to know that you are taking care of your teeth and our dentists can confirm this for you.
Of course, they may also find out that you do have a cavity. In that case, you may wonder if you could tell you have a cavity before your dental visit.
How can you tell if you have a cavity? This knowledge can help get the cavity filled before it gets worse.
What are the signs you may a Cavity?
A cavity does not disappear on its own. It only gets worse. The longer you go without treating a cavity, the bigger it will get. That is why it is important to detect a cavity as soon as possible. There are a four key signs of a potential cavity to watch for.
- Tooth Sensitivity – A sensitivity to hot or cold food or feeling a twinge when you breathe in is a sign that something is not right.
- Tooth Pain – Pain is a tool that the body uses to say something is wrong. Pain from a cavity happens even if you do not bite down on the tooth. The more persistent the pain is, the worse the cavity usually is.
- Dark Spots on the Teeth – Gray, brown or black spots on the teeth is a sign that the bacteria are eating away the enamel of the tooth.
- Bad Breath – The bacteria that cause a cavity also cause bad breath or leave a bad taste in the mouth.
A cavity is a hole in the tooth. If you see any small indents or hole in the tooth, it is probably a cavity, and just not sensitive yet.
When you see or feel any of these signs of a cavity, you have a few choices.
You can ignore it and hope it goes away, but it won’t. The better choice is to contact our Olympia Washington dental offices to schedule a dental exam right away.
Our dental professionals can use tools and observation to determine the severity of the cavity and develop a plan to treat it.
Contact our dental office today to schedule an appointment to help your oral health.
