Maintaining good oral hygiene is an important part of your overall health. That’s why it can be alarming to hear that you might have a cavity. You might not even know that you have a cavity at all unless you start feeling definite symptoms. So if you think you might have a cavity, this post will explore how to know if you have a cavity.
We’ll first tell you about what a cavity is and what it looks like. Next, we’ll talk about some of the symptoms involved and how you can solve the problem through proper dental treatment.
What Is A Cavity, and What Does It Look Like?
Essentially, a cavity is caused by damage to a tooth. It’s caused by bacteria that normally reside on the inner surfaces of your mouth. Normally, these bacteria are part of the micro-ecosystem of your mouth. However, it’s important to keep them under control through regular brushing and flossing. When you eat food or drink beverages, these bacteria dissolve in a mixture of saliva and food matter. This forms a sticky film of plaque that adheres to teeth. Brushing this film away is important; otherwise, it starts to accumulate.
The bacteria have plenty of matter to feed on and reproduce in, and they can produce acids that can eat away at the strong layer of enamel on your teeth. This gives an area on a tooth a blackened appearance.
How To Know If You Have A Cavity
As mentioned in the section above, a cavity appears as a blackened spot or area on the surface of a tooth. Stains can also be white or brown, and you may also see definite holes in your teeth. As the enamel wears down and the underlying dentin layer becomes accessible to the bacteria, sensitivity in your teeth will result. You might experience pain after eating hot, cold, or sweet things or drinking acidic or carbonated beverages. Your teeth might also be sensitive, and you might get toothaches.
However, if untreated, the cavity will expand. Symptoms become worse and harder to ignore as the decay progresses.
Treatment and Conclusion
While healing a cavity is not possible, a dentist will recommend the best treatment option. They will clean and wash the area to remove all traces of bacteria and decay. Then, they can choose from a variety of options depending on the degree of decay and damage. This can include fillings for teeth with holes, crowns to cover a damaged tooth and restore appearance, and a root canal if the damage has progressed far into the tooth.
To prevent cavities, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, and limiting sugar intake can do wonders. Also, getting regular checkups at a professional dentist will ensure that they can spot a cavity before it progresses.
Mission Bend Family Dentistry specializes in creating healthy smiles for the entire family. We provide superior care that offers your family comfort and convenience through our expertise and gentle care. Through proper dental treatment and our advanced techniques, we offer treatment for dental cavities, along with various other dental health concerns. For any questions or to schedule a consultation, call us at (832) 895-5110.
We’d love to see you and help you achieve a smile to be proud of.