When making our appointment with the dentist, the one thing everyone dreads the most is cavities. As a child, many of you must have come across the monstrosity of cavities that wouldn’t let you enjoy your favorite candies.
What exactly is a cavity?
Cavities are called tooth decay for a very good reason. It is when the surface of your teeth gets damaged enough to cause holes in your teeth. These holes or “cavities” not only hurt a lot but also cause several other symptoms that may help you to assess if you have them. If you’re wondering how to tell if you have a cavity, we have listed down a few of the common symptoms that will allow you to find out if you have any damaged openings in your teeth.
Symptoms of Cavity
- Toothache: One of the most common and easy ways to discover a cavity is when you have a toothache. If you think about it, having a gaping hole in your teeth is bound to hurt, isn’t it? Cavities come with terrible pain in your teeth that might make you lose your sleep, if not treated timely. Therefore, if you have been experiencing toothaches for a while, you might want to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
- Sensitivity: Another indicator of having a cavity is teeth sensitivity. Sensitivity can be triggered by several stimuli which can include temperature and cause discomfort and pain when your teeth come in contact with something hot or cold. If you find that you have been battling teeth sensitivity or “dentin hypersensitivity” then you might want to be on the lookout for cavities.
- Bad Breath: Another very obvious symptom of cavities is bad breath. The bacteria that are responsible for the cavities are also a means of turning your fresh breath into bad breath. This symptom is usually noticed by others first, but if you find yourself with bad breath even after you’ve brushed cavities are a likely cause.
- Staining of Teeth: A little less common symptom is the staining of teeth. If you find that one of your teeth looks stained with either a black, brown, or white color you might want to get it checked for cavities. The bacteria that cause this cavity also stain the tooth as aftermath, which if detected can help you get it treated on time.
Now that you know how to spot a cavity, you should also know how to not get one. The following practices will make cavities very less likely to occur if taken on time:
- Remember to brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Rinse your mouth and floss daily
- Avoid frequent and late-night snacking
- Stay away from sugary drinks
- Visit your dentist at least bimonthly
Cavities are small but their impact on our lives can be really big. If not taken care of on time, they may lead to loss of teeth, gum infections, and loss of weight due to the inability to eat properly. Therefore, in order to lead a happy, painless and healthy life it is important that you know how to tell if you have a cavity, and take the right measures to treat it if you do get it. Cavities can cause great distress to anyone who gets them, and since carelessness is enough to cause cavities therefore it is very easy to get them. Always remember to protect your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly. Make sure to rinse and clean your mouth because a healthy and fresh mouth means a healthy and fresh body.
