Do You Have Dental Cavities or Tooth Decay? You Should Not Ignore the Signs

Do You Have Dental Cavities or Tooth Decay? You Should Not Ignore the Signs

Dental cavities or tooth decay forms in the mouth slowly and becomes larger when ignored. Because a lot of cavities are not initially painful, you may not know you have them. But regular appointments with a dentist in Maryville, TN, can help catch cavities and tooth decay early. 

Signs You Have Dental Cavities or Tooth Decay

Cavities present symptoms depending on the degree of decay, but they generally include the following:

  • Tooth sensitivity. If a cavity reaches your teeth’s dentin, acidic, sweet, hot, sticky, or cold foods can arouse the cells and nerves inside the teeth. You must see a dentist when you experience strange tooth sensitivity, as this might mean a cavity or decay has started to develop.
  • Tooth pain. Toothaches usually occur when your tooth falls off. But teeth injuries or infections can also lead to tooth pain. When you suddenly experience a toothache without noticing changes in your oral health, this can be because of a cavity. If a cavity affects the enamel of your tooth, it pierces down continuously into the deeper layer. And when it reaches the tooth pulp, it can cause soft tissue inflammation and serious pain. 
  • Tooth hole. As a cavity begins to form, it appears as a small white spot found on a tooth’s surface. As the erosion worsens, the cavity makes a hole in the tooth. This is an obvious sign of a cavity, and this means you need to see a dentist. 
  • Uncomfortable bites. When the pulp of your tooth is inflamed, you can experience sharp pain whenever you bite down. Also, this symptom can mean the pulp has died because of contamination. 

How Your Dentist Will Treat Cavities

Dentists deal with cavities in different ways. The following are treatments to treat damage because of cavities:

  • Dental fillings. Your dentist will drill into the cavity, get rid of the decayed material, and fill the empty space with a dental filling. 
  • Dental crowns. These treatments are used when a big part of the tooth is decayed. If tooth decay results in the need for big fillings, the tooth becomes susceptible to cracking and breaking. To try to save the decayed tooth, a dentist will fit it with a porcelain or alloy crown.  
  • Root canal treatment. If the decay has reached the nerve or root, a dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. The procedure involves removing the dead or damaged nerve and filling the area. Often, a crown is placed over the affected tooth.