Cavities, also known as “dental caries,” are often the first step toward more serious tooth decay. Dentists try to detect and treat cavities in the early stages, before they make their way deeper into the teeth, cause severe damage, and require more extensive treatments. If you think you or your child may have a cavity, it’s important to see a dentist right away.
Here, we’ll discuss how to recognize the symptoms of a cavity and when to seek treatment.
What Are the Main Warning Signs of a Cavity?
While there are not always clear signs that a cavity is present, several symptoms indicate something could be wrong. These can include:
- Tooth sensitivity. Cavities occur where enamel has been eaten away, leaving the tooth root and/or nerves exposed. This can cause your teeth to be extra sensitive to hot and cold, or even pressure.
- Tooth pain. Whether it’s constant dull pain or sudden sharp pain, dental pain is usually a good reason to see a dentist. A cavity could be present, or you might have a cracked tooth or abscess.
- Apparent divots, pits, or holes. You may notice these with your tongue, see them on your teeth in the mirror, or both. If you see them, they will likely have a black or brown color. Keep in mind, though, that cavities between your teeth or toward the back of your mouth won’t be visible; you’ll feel them before you see them.
- Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. Cavities are caused by, and loaded with, bacteria. That bacteria can leave your breath smelling foul, even if you’ve brushed recently. A frequent bad taste can be present too
Not all cavity symptoms need to be present to warrant a call to the dentist. Any of them can serve as a red flag, so it never hurts to seek professional help.
Left untreated, cavities can lead to severe pain and destroy teeth, so it’s important to contact a dentist if you think a cavity is present
How Can I Tell if My Kid Has a Cavity?
Many parents ask us whether their kids have cavities. All of the signs above are good indicators of cavities in kids, too.
But many kids, especially young children, are not good at communicating what’s going on in their mouths. They might not say that a tooth hurts, but cry when they eat or drink. They might not be able to feel a hole, but you can smell their bad breath. The best thing to do if you suspect your child has a cavity is to take a look in their mouth for telltale signs, like pits or holes that are brown or black. Small white spots can be a warning sign, too, as these indicate places where the enamel is wearing out and cavities can form.
Signs of cavities in children include:
- Complaining about or avoiding hot and cold foods they normally enjoy (such as popsicles, cold drinks, or hot chocolate).
- Putting a hand on the same area of their mouth all the time, which is probably aching.
- Chewing on one side of their mouth often, indicating they are avoiding chewing on the sensitive side.
How Do Dentists Treat Cavities?
If you suspect that you or a loved one has a cavity, your dentist will inspect the teeth, take X-rays to determine the extent of damage, and recommend the best way to offer relief.
Cavity treatment depends on the severity of decay and might include:
- A filling. If the cavity is small, a filling is often enough to solve the problem. Decay is removed, the area is cleaned, and filler material is placed in the hole to prevent bacteria from spreading further into the tooth.
- A crown. This is often necessary if bacteria has spread deep into the tooth, or if the tooth has already been filled. Decay or old filling material will be removed first, then a crown or “dental cap” will be placed over the tooth to seal out bacteria.
- A root canal. If the cavity has spread all the way to the pulp (or root) of the tooth and caused infection, a root canal can save the tooth. Performing a root canal also prevents infection from traveling into the blood stream and other organs, which can be very dangerous.
During the appointment, the dentist will likely discuss how to prevent future cavities from forming. Since fluoride helps strengthen enamel to combat bacteria, he or she may suggest fluoride treatment if your city doesn’t have fluoride in their water system. Other recommendations will be to avoid sugary foods and drinks, brush and floss twice a day, and make an appointment for regular dental cleanings.
What are the Best Ways to Manage a Cavity Until My Dental Appointment?
Cavities cannot be fixed at home, no matter how well you have heard that cod liver oil, raw butter, vitamin D supplements, licorice root, turmeric, essential oils, or “remineralizing toothpastes” work. While these are not harmful, there is little data to back up the claims that they help — so it’s always best to leave cavity treatment to professionals.
However, there are a few ways to manage the pain and sensitivity that cavities cause. If you have to wait a day or two to before your dental appointment, you can try:
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication. Ibuprofen works well since it reduces inflammation around the tooth.
- Avoiding hot or cold foods and beverages. Since these are likely to cause pain or sensitivity, it’s best to stay away from them until cavities are treated.
- Rinsing with saltwater. Swishing with saltwater helps reduce bacteria and inflammation in the mouth for temporary pain relief.
Left untreated, cavities can lead to severe pain and destroy teeth, so it’s important to contact a dentist if you think a cavity is present. If you don’t have a regular dentist, use our dental scheduling tool now to find a dentist near you.