You can know if you have a cavity by looking out for several signs and symptoms, which often appear as the decay progresses:
- Tooth Sensitivity: You may experience sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. This sensitivity can be mild or severe and sometimes seems to occur suddenly
- Tooth Pain: Pain or a toothache can occur, especially when eating or drinking certain foods, or when biting down. Early cavities might cause mild or no pain, but as they worsen, the pain can become constant and severe
- Visible Holes or Pits: You might see or feel a small hole, dent, or pit in your tooth where the decay is happening. Running your tongue over your teeth might help detect these
- Discoloration or Stains: Cavities can cause white, brown, black, or gray spots or stains on the tooth surface. These discolorations may be an early sign of decay
- Bad Breath or Bad Taste: Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth can indicate cavities, as bacteria accumulate in decayed areas
- Pain with Pressure: Feeling sharp pain when biting down or applying pressure on a tooth can be a sign of a cavity
Early cavities might not show obvious symptoms, so regular dental checkups and X-rays are important to detect decay before it worsens
. If you notice any of these signs, it’s advisable to see a dentist promptly to prevent further damage and complications
. Summary of key signs to watch for:
- Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, sweet, or acidic substances
- Tooth pain or ache, especially when eating or biting
- Visible holes or pits in teeth
- Discoloration or staining on teeth
- Bad breath or bad taste
- Pain when applying pressure or biting down
These symptoms reflect the progression of tooth decay and help indicate the presence of cavities
