What are the symptoms of cavities in teeth?

1. Tooth pain
2. Tooth sensitivity
3. Visible holes or pits in teeth
4. Bad breath
5. Pus or drainage around the tooth

No one likes the sight of a cavity, especially when they’ve turned black or brown on our teeth. Not to mention, they become incredibly painful, too! But did you know that you can spot these even before they turn for the worse? In this article, we talk about the different symptoms of cavities in teeth to help you spot these early on. You should consult with your dentist immediately for teeth cleaning and consultation to assess your teeth’s current situation.

Keep reading to learn more.

What is a Tooth Cavity?

Before deep diving into the different symptoms of this common dental condition, it’s important that we define and discuss what this is first.

Tooth cavities are damaged parts of your tooth. However, they don’t start off like this. Cavities start to form when plaque and tartar start to build up on the tooth’s surface, usually at the back of the teeth. When left there, they slowly turn into tiny holes and progress to bigger pits and holes.

However, cavities are not usually visible. The only time you’ll find all of them is through regular visits for teeth cleaning with your dentist. And no, this is not every month. Paying them a visit twice a year for cleaning will do.

Remember if left untreated, cavities can lead to severe consequences such as pain, infection, and even tooth loss. Therefore, it is important that you recognize the early symptoms of cavities.

Tooth Pain

It’s quite easy to tell if you’re experiencing tooth pain. But did you know that this can change from mild to severe? Some may feel it as a sharp pain; others describe it as a constant pain, while many also experience constant aches in their tooth. Whatever the case, these are all uncomfortable and should not be brushed aside.

If you feel tooth pain, it’s recommended that you immediately set a consultation with your dentist because this is one of the symptoms of a tooth cavity. Make it a priority if you observe that the pain worsened overnight and if it gives you difficulty sleeping.

Tooth Sensitivity

Have you felt a tingling sensation while enjoying your favorite ice cream? How about while you sip on your hot coffee in the morning? That’s tooth sensitivity, and it can happen for both hot and cold food and beverages.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the hard outer layer of your tooth gets worn down, and the softer layer underneath called dentin gets exposed. So the dentin has these tiny tubes that go to the nerve of the tooth, which makes it super sensitive to stuff like hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks.

This is another common symptom of tooth cavities that we may not see with our naked eye. When this happens to you, it is your sign to have this area of your mouth checked since it may be difficult to pinpoint where the cavity is at first glance.

Visible Holes or Pits in Teeth

If you keep on ignoring your tooth pain and sensitivity, your cavities may progress to the point that you already see visible holes or pits on your teeth. It may appear to be brown, black, or white in color, depending on the severity of the cavity. You may be able to feel the hole with your tongue or notice it when brushing or flossing your teeth.

When cavities form, they can the enamel of your teeth to corrode, weakening your tooth’s structure. This may also cause your teeth to look dark and discolored. If left untreated, the discoloration can worsen and spread to other teeth.

When cavities get to this point, it may already to more serious dental problems including abscesses and gum disease. You may require further treatment from your dentist.

Bad Breath

Do you notice that your breath still smells foul even after brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash? Cavities can be the cause of this! When bacteria accumulate in your mouth, they can release volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which are responsible for the unpleasant odor.

This condition is called halitosis or bad breath — yet another sign that you may have cavities in your mouth that need to be treated!

Pus or Drainage Around the Tooth

When your toothaches turn into severe and throbbing pain, this can mean it has already progressed to pus or abscesses. This occurs when the infection caused by the cavity spreads to the surrounding tissues, leading to swelling, redness, and pain. You may also notice a foul taste or smell in your mouth. It’s also possible to contract a fever when this happens.

Key Takeaway

We just rounded up for you some of the most common symptoms of cavities in teeth. If you’re experiencing any of this, it may be time for you to set up teeth cleaning and consultation with us here at Elevate Dental.

We are the leading dental clinic in BGC that’s ready to help you with any of your dental concerns. If we find cavities during your teeth cleaning session with us, we can help you with the next step of your treatment plan.

Contact us to book your appointment with us! Our team is committed to restoring your smile and providing you with the best possible dental care based on our years of expertise and dedication.