How To Tell If You Have A Cavity

We all want to keep our teeth beautiful and healthy and to prevent damage and cavities. But that can be hard to do since we can’t see inside our own mouths. Here’s how to tell if you have a cavity, so that you can be aware of the warning signs and make sure that you catch cavities quickly to prevent further tooth decay and damage.

New Tooth Pain

If you’re experiencing pain, that’s your body telling you that something is wrong. And when you experience tooth pain that you’ve never felt before, it’s something you should look into. Pain that differs from normal sensitivity or that comes out of nowhere can be a sign of tooth decay. Though they aren’t the only causes of toothaches, cavities are known to cause tooth pain, and that pain can occur unexpectedly.

Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

Some people just have sensitive teeth, and some level of sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks is normal. That normal level of sensitivity can generally be managed with special toothpaste and the recommendations of your dentist. But sensitivity that occurs suddenly when you’ve never experienced it before or sensitivity that is localized to one small area or one tooth can indicate tooth decay.

Sensitivity to Sweetness

Like with hot and cold foods, some level of tooth sensitivity is par for the course. But, if you’re suddenly unable to eat a piece of candy or have an ice cream sundae without tooth pain, a cavity may be the culprit.

A Hole in Your Tooth

The word cavity literally means a hole. So if while you’re flossing one day you notice a hole in your tooth, it’s more than likely that you have a cavity. 

Tooth Discoloration

Any changes to the color of your teeth that are sudden or noticeable are worth addressing with your dentist. While some discoloration and staining has seemingly innocuous causes like coffee or red wine, and seemingly simple solutions, like whitening treatments, some discoloration can also be a sign of tooth decay and cavities.

Bad Breath

Cavities are the result of tooth decay. And decay stinks. If you suddenly have persistent bad breath that isn’t caused by a condition like dry mouth or a diet heavy in odorous foods, the root cause might be a cavity or cavities. 

 

If you think you have a cavity, you need to see a dentist ASAP to prevent further damage or the loss of your tooth. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Mogren today.