Taking care of your oral and overall health must be a priority. Knowing when you need to call your dentist is important. Practicing good oral hygiene habits help to prevent tooth decay, cavities, and many other issues. Cavities are one of the most common issues patients face, and roughly one in four U.S. adults has at least one untreated cavity. Leaving a cavity untreated can destroy your teeth leading to tooth loss, infection, and other more serious conditions.
It is helpful for patients to understand what a cavity is, and also know what symptoms to look out for if you think you may have a cavity.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity is when bacteria or food build up and form plaque on your teeth. The bacteria eat away at the enamel on your teeth and cause decay. Good oral hygiene habits are so important, and brushing and flossing can help you get rid of the plaque build up to prevent cavities from developing. Once the cavity is formed there is a small hole in your tooth, and if left untreated the cavity can destroy your tooth or develop an infection.
What Are the Signs of a Cavity?
There are signs you can look out for that may indicate you have a cavity. If you experience any of these signs we encourage you to contact our office, and our staff will get you in as soon as possible. Our team always works to keep our patient’s teeth and mouth healthy and pain free.
• Sensitivity to hot and cold that lingers and does not go away
• Sensitivity to sweet foods or drinks
• A toothache that is on or around one or more teeth
• Pain when you bite down or pain during eating
• Discoloration, white spots, or staining on a tooth
• A small hole or mark on your tooth
Need to Contact Our Office?
Knowing these signs can help you decide if you need to contact a dentist. We always tell patients to never hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We are here to help, and a cavity should never be left untreated.
If you think you may have a cavity and need to schedule an appointment, contact our office and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!
The Four Stages of Tooth Decay
Decay does not appear all at once. It moves through predictable stages, and how much can be done depends heavily on how early it is caught.
- Demineralisation. Acid strips minerals from the enamel and leaves a chalky white spot. At this stage there is no hole yet, and the damage can often be halted or reversed with fluoride and better home care.
- Enamel decay. The surface breaks down and a genuine cavity forms. A filling is now needed — enamel cannot rebuild itself once it has collapsed.
- Dentin decay. Decay reaches the softer layer beneath the enamel, where it spreads faster. Sensitivity usually starts here.
- Pulp involvement. The decay reaches the nerve and blood supply. This is where severe pain and abscesses come from, and it usually means root canal treatment or extraction.
Why Early Cavities Have No Symptoms
The most important thing to understand is that a cavity does not hurt until it is already well established. Enamel has no nerve endings, so decay confined to the outer layer is completely painless. By the time you feel something, decay has usually reached the dentin or beyond. Waiting for pain as your signal is what turns a small filling into a root canal.
How We Find Cavities You Cannot See
Many cavities start between teeth or under an existing filling, where no amount of mirror-checking at home will reveal them. During a routine exam we check each surface directly, use X-rays to see between and beneath teeth, and compare against your previous images to spot change early. This is the main reason routine dental cleanings and exams are worth keeping even when nothing hurts.
Can a Cavity Heal on Its Own?
Only at the very first stage. A white-spot lesion that has not yet broken through can often be remineralised with fluoride, better brushing and flossing, and cutting back on frequent sugar. Once the surface has actually cavitated, it will not heal — it needs a dental filling, and it will keep growing until it gets one.