Do I Have a Cavity?
Do you have a suspicion of a cavity? Know the first step to take! What are some common symptoms of a cavity to look out for? How do cavities form? Escondido Dental Group and Orthodontics wants to help you inform yourself about cavities!
Tell Your Dentist
Schedule a dental appointment if you have any concerns about cavities. Why?Imagine what could happen if you ignored your suspicion? The decay can spread rapidly. As it grows, it can eventually lead to pain if it reaches the nerve. At this point, a tooth extraction or root canal may be in order. As you can see, this can all be avoided with a preventive dental check-up and any necessary treatment.
On the other hand, if your dentist tells you a cavity is not present, you have peace of mind knowing your worry is unfounded!
Symptoms
As explained above, you will feel pain if the decay reaches the nerve. In fact, if it reaches the dentin or nerve, many experience sensitivity to temperature or when chewing sweets. However, if it is surface, on the enamel, you are less likely to feel anything. Also, you may notice a dark, brown, or white spot. You can look for a hole in your tooth as well because decay actually eats away at your tooth!
What Causes Cavities?
Colgate’s website has an excellent explanation: “Your mouth is naturally full of bacteria. Some of that bacteria is perfectly healthy; some of it can be harmful. When you eat something sugary, such as candy or even potato chips, or drink a sugary beverage, the bacteria feeds on the sugars in the substance. It then produces acid, which is strong enough to wear away the enamel of the tooth, if not cleaned off quickly enough.”
We remind you as a caring dental team to not procrastinate coming in for your 6 month visits. It is especially important to make an appointment if you have any concerns about your teeth! Give us a call (760) 233- 2260