Making sure you visit the family dentist every six months for a cleaning is the best way to prevent and detect cavities before they get worse. However, monitoring your oral health for signs of tooth decay is also critical to protecting your smile. Providing advanced care in High Point, NC, the specialists at Tkatch Dentistry highlight a few signs you may have a cavity.

5 Cavity Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Overlook

1. Sensitivity

As decay wears away at the enamel, tooth nerves become more sensitive to what you eat or drink—including sugary snacks or hot and cold beverages. Often, this sensitivity may feel like a sharp twinge or spontaneous throbbing. While some people may have natural sensitivity not related to a cavity, any new or unusual sensations should be brought to the attention of your family dentist.

2. Persistent Pain

Dental pain has a variety of causes but generally occurs when pulp—the tissues inside a tooth—become aggravated. If cavity-causing bacteria have caused an infection within the tooth, it causes painful inflammation. Symptoms may come and go without reason, but may also occur when you chew food or experience changes in air pressure. If the discomfort doesn’t subside, you may need emergency treatment.

3. Discoloration

Smoking, dark beverages, food, and certain medications are possible reasons why your teeth may change color. However, if you notice white patches or brown-black spots on a tooth, the discoloration is due to decay. This color change occurs when acidic plaque starts to weaken enamel.

4. Visible Damage

As oral bacteria attack enamel, portions of the tooth can disappear. Sometimes, this action may result in small pits or dents along the enamel. In more severe cases, the tooth may develop tiny holes or easily chip.

5. Oral Infections

When cavities allow bacteria to reach dental pulp and nerves, infections occur. As your body tries to fight off the infection, you may notice symptoms, such as pus around the affected tooth and bad breath.

Talking to a family dentist about these signs will help you avoid more serious complications, such as a root canal infection or tooth loss. For more information about cavities, contact Tkach Dentistry in High Point. These professionals use the latest tools to provide comfortable, affordable, and reliable treatment. To learn more about their services, visit them online. For appointments, call (336) 889-9916.