What are the signs of a cavity?
By: Heather Hradek, DDS
Cavity. Sugar bugs. Decay. All these words spark fear into our patients when the dentist comes into their room for an exam, but do you know what the dentist is looking for during the exam? Dr. Heather Hradek shares some of the signs and symptoms that are indications that a cavity might be present!
1) A toothache
Tooth decay is one of the biggest causes of tooth pain; however it’s not the only reason your tooth might hurt. Sinus infections or trauma to the tooth from a car accident or baseball can cause tooth pain as well, but if your health is normal and a toothache comes on suddenly, a cavity could be the cause. Once a cavity breaks through the enamel, the hard outer layer of the tooth, it can grow quickly and gets closer to the pulp of the tooth, where the nerve resides. The deeper the cavity gets and closer to the nerve, the more the nerve of the tooth becomes inflamed and painful. Cavities aren’t always painful though—if caught early with a visual exam or x-ray, they can be treated BEFORE they become painful.
2) Sensitivity or pain when you drink or eat something sweet, acidic, hot, or cold
Some patients have generalized sensitivity due to recession or pulling away of their gums, but if the pain seems to be getting progressively worse, it could be because that cavity has created a hole in the tooth, exposing that underlying layer of the tooth, the dentin, which is made up of tubes that extend to the nerve. Once cavities have broken into the dentin, they only get progressively worse and larger over time as the tubules are filled with those sugary or sweet substances, irritating the nerve until a dentist repairs the hole.
3) A hole or pit in your tooth you can see
One of the most common places for cavities is on the biting surfaces of the teeth. The grooves on those surfaces attract food and plaque that are difficult to clean out and over time can cause cavities to form if not cleaned regularly. It starts as a bright white area that if left untreated can continue to burrow into the tooth, creating a pit. If there is a hole or pit that is visible to the naked eye, it is a clear indication of a need for dental care.
4) A dark brown or black or bright white surface
Cavities start by the tooth surface turning from its natural color to bright white, called a ‘white spot lesion’. This is the first indication of a demineralization or breakdown of the enamel surface. As the cavity progresses, stain from the food and beverages you eat catch in the broken down surface so it starts to turn darker as it gets deeper.
5) A sharp pain when biting
If you have sharp pain when biting down, it can indicate several potential dental problems, such as a cracked tooth or even an infection from the nerve dying. Either way, both require immediate dental treatment otherwise the cavity could progress to the point where the tooth is no longer savable and has to be removed.
Chesterton Family Dental is the general dental office of Dr. Mystie Pieters, Dr. Heather Hradek, and Dr. Robert Pieters providing comprehensive dental care for the entire family. Call today at (219)929-9289 to schedule your visit!