4 Common Symptoms of a Cavity

Even though teeth are made of the hardest substance in our bodies, they are still prone to cavities. To help you know what to be on the lookout for, here are four of the most common symptoms of a cavity.

1. Sudden or Continual Pain

Your teeth have nerves in them that let you know if something is going on in the tooth. If you feel sudden aches or pains in your tooth and then they go away, that’s a good sign you may have a cavity. Hurry in to your dentist, because if the pain is continual or so bad that it wakes you up at night, that’s a sign that you need immediate attention from a dental professional.

2. Tooth Sensitivity

When you eat sweets or cold drinks, does your tooth hurt? Cavities expose the sensitive part of your teeth called dentin, which when exposed to sweets, cold, or anything that may change the osmotic pressure in the dentin, will give a signal that something is happening.

3. Darkening of Tooth in Places

If you notice a spot on your tooth that is also discolored, this may be a sign of a cavity. Sometimes, however, there is a decay process that goes on underneath the surface of the tooth. This may be evident with a general darkening color of the enamel. Your dentist will be able to detect this. Sometimes a cavity will start with dark or brown staining, so that is another sign to watch out for.

4. Pain While Eating or Drinking

If you feel a surge of pain when you eat or drink, your tooth may be trying to tell you that something is wrong. It may be that the pressure is localized on the cavity-causing pain, or it could be more severe requiring more extensive dental treatment. If you notice this symptom, get into a dentist as soon as you can.

Your teeth have a built-in warning system when a negative dental health issue process is happening. If you feel any of the above symptoms, book an appointment with your dentist soon so that you can receive the proper treatment.