How To Find Out If You Have a Cavity

Cavities are when holes form in teeth. They may seem easy to spot, but they aren’t always easily visible. What to look for when finding a cavity.

What are cavities?

As we mentioned, they are holes in the teeth. They are formed when bacteria that live on the teeth process sugars and produce acid. This acid is what actually degrades the tooth and forms the hole. It works by eroding the enamel on the tooth’s surface.

Why should they be diagnosed and treated?

The holes in the teeth can become breeding grounds for more bacteria. These bacteria in turn, will produce more acid, worsening the hole. Bacterial infection can spread to the gum line, other teeth, and bones. Cavities can cause pain and tooth loss. They are also associated with higher rates of gum and mouth disease.

What to look for

Often, small cavities will show no signs or symptoms early on. As they grow though, look for the following:

• Tooth/jaw pain, especially if spontaneous.
• Pain when eating or drinking foods that are hot or cold.
• Pain when biting into or chewing on food.
• Sensitivity in the area of the suspected cavity.
• White, brown or black spots (stains) on the tooth.
• Holes or dents in enamel.
• Pain when eating or drinking something sweet and sugary.

Risk factors

A cavity may not be immediately visible. It may not be visible at all until the damage is done. If that is the case, you should consider risk factors you or a loved one may have.

• Location of the teeth. Teeth in the back often get the most cavities. This is because they have more dents and grooves, and they also are harder to reach for a toothbrush. Simply put, back teeth are harder to keep clean than the smoother front teeth.
• Dry mouth. Saliva washes out the mouth, removing bacteria and the food debris that bacteria eat. Dryer mouths have trouble washing the plaque off of teeth. Additionally, having more water in the mouth helps neutralize the acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria. Dry mouth may be involuntary, caused by medicine, or hormonal changes.
• Heartburn. Heartburn can cause stomach acid to flow into the mouth. Anything that increases the acidity of the mouth increases the likelihood of cavities forming. The enamel is worn away, exposing the dentin. Dentin is much softer and more easy to infect than enamel.
• Lack of brushing. You should be brushing at least twice a day, morning and evening. Brushing at night helps remove debris and bacteria before sleep. Brushing in the morning removes bacteria build-up that happened during sleep. During the day, you eat and drink. This produces saliva, and helps the mouth clean itself.
• Certain foods and drinks. These are some of the worst culprits. Anything extremely sugary, acidic, hard things, and things that cling to your teeth is not good for them. This includes things like honey, chewy candies, hard candies, chocolate, and… the list goes on.
• Frequent snacking drinking. This is especially a risk if your snacks/drinks are sugary. Frequent candy and soda consumption exposes your teeth to significant sugar. This in turn feeds the bacteria that cause problems. Try replacing soda with water to negate the effect.
• Lack of fluoride. Many places add fluoride to the public water supply. Not all however, find out if your water has fluoride, if not, you may need a supplement. Toothpaste and mouth rinses also contain fluoride. Fluoride is highly basic (it has the opposite chemical effect of an acid), and thus helps with the repair and health of the teeth. Fluoride can even reverse early stages of tooth decay.
• Food consumption just before bed. This is especially true with infants. Drinking milk, juice, or baby formula at night leaves drink on the infant’s teeth for the rest of the evening. During sleep, the bacteria builds up and causes decay. The same applies to adults too, if you find yourself eating ice cream at midnight when you can’t sleep, at least brush your teeth afterwards.
• Age. Older adults are at higher risk of tooth decay. Over time, the gums recede, allowing new areas for bacteria to breed and produce harmful byproducts. This increases the risk of root decay. Also, older people have more worn enamel, and thus more dentin exposed.

Cavities can hurt, so stay on top of your oral health

Cavities may start as tiny holes in the teeth, but they don’t stay that way. They can cause tooth loss, severe pain, and nutritional problems. People who lose teeth and have tooth pain thanks to cavities will avoid certain foods altogether. If you think you may have cavities, or are worried about them in the future, then you are in the right place. Josey Lane Dentistry has been faithfully serving the Carrollton Texas area for nearly two decades. We have a full range of services, including preventative, restorative, and cosmetic care. If you need cavities treated, or want to be sure to prevent them, contact us today to find out what you can do.