Signs You Might Have A Cavity

Cavities, like most other health issues, can vary in degree or seriousness.

When a cavity first begins to form, it’s pretty easily treatable and we’re able to keep it from spreading. If left untreated, however, it can lead to some pretty serious complications, including tooth loss. Your best chance of minimizing tooth damage from cavities (short of not getting them in the first place) is early detection and early treatment.

If you’re coming in to see your Monarch Dentist every six months, we’ll definitely be able to watch for early warning sign, but there are also ways you can be on the lookout between visits. Here are three signs to watch for:

Pain:
Tooth pain is not normal, so it’s definitely a red flag. If you’re experiencing pain, a cavity may be the root (tooth pun intended).

Sensitivity:
Many things can cause general tooth sensitivity (teeth whitening treatments for example), but if you notice a particular tooth is sensitive to hot, cold, sugary and acidic foods or pressure, it’s cause for concern.

Bad breath:
This one is tricky, as there are many causes of bad breath, but one of them is actually a cavity. The bacteria present in tooth infections (which is really what a cavity is) produces a very unpleasant smell.

If any of these sound familiar, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If it is a cavity, early treatment is vital to minimizing damage. And if it’s not, your dentist will be able to determine what else might be causing the issue.