Dental cavities are one of the most common oral health problems in the world. A cavity is a hole in your tooth that develops when tooth decay isn’t removed. Tooth decay is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Plaque produces acids that eat away at tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of your teeth.
Most cavities form on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, where plaque can build up easily. Cavities can also form on the sides of your teeth near the gum line.
Cavities are permanent damage to your teeth and must be treated by a dentist near you. If not treated, cavities will continue to grow larger and can eventually lead to pain, tooth loss, and infection.
The best way to prevent cavities is to practice good oral hygiene and visit your Colorado Springs dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. However, even with good oral hygiene, you may still develop a cavity. Here are some signs that you may have a cavity:
You Have Toothache Pain
If you have pain in one or more of your teeth, it could be a sign of a cavity. The pain may be constant or may only occur when you eat or drink certain foods or beverages.
You See Holes or Cracks in Your Teeth
If you can see holes or cracks in your teeth, it means that the tooth decay has eaten through the enamel and into the dentin, which is the inner layer of your teeth.
You Feel Sensitivity to Hot and Cold Foods and Beverages
If you feel sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages, it may be because the dentin has been exposed. Dentin is softer than enamel and is more susceptible to heat and cold sensitivity.
You Notice White Spots on Your Teeth
White spots on your teeth are another early sign of tooth decay as talked about with our friends over at Friendly Dental, a Dentist in Aberdeen NJ. These spots occur when plaque begins to build up on your teeth and the acids start to eat away at the enamel.
You Have Bad Breath That Won’t Go Away
Bad breath that won’t go away can be a sign of dental cavities or gum disease. Bacteria from dental cavities can cause bad breath. If you have gum disease, bacteria can get trapped below the gum line and cause bad breath as well as gum inflammation.
Dental cavities are common but serious oral health problems that require treatment by a dentist. Cavities occur when tooth decay isn’t removed and plaque starts to eat away at tooth enamel. Most cavities form on the back teeth or near the gum line.
Contact Us Today!
You can practice good oral hygiene habits and visit your dentist regularly to help prevent cavities, but even with good oral hygiene habits, you may still develop a cavity. If you have any of these signs, you may have a cavity: toothache pain, holes or cracks in your teeth, sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages, white spots on your teeth, or bad breath that won’t go away. If you think you have a cavity, call Kissing Camels Family Dentistry today office today for an appointment!