Dental cavities form when carbohydrates such as white bread, chocolate, cereal, and fruit stick to teeth. They work with mouth bacteria to form decay-causing acids that coalesce with saliva and food particles to create plaque. Plaque acid eats away at enamel, or the hard outer shell that gives teeth their white color, eventually resulting in cavities. Here are a few signs that you have a cavity and need to see a dentist.

How to Tell if You Have a Cavity

1. Hot & Cold Sensitivities

While most people experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods periodically, persistent discomfort can indicate a cavity. As acid wears the enamel down, it exposes dentin, or sensitive tooth pulp consisting of blood vessels and nerves. Acidic and sticky foods can also cause sensitivity when a tooth’s outer layer has worn away.

2. Tooth Discoloration

Brown spots on teeth can signal stains from food, drinks, and tobacco; however, they can also indicate tooth decay. Sticky plaque and tartar bind acids to teeth, making yellow dentin more obvious. If tooth decay worsens, the yellow-brown discoloration turns dark brown.

3. Visible Holes or Pits

In addition to visible discoloration, you may be able to see the holes or pits in your teeth from decay. You might also be able to feel the pits or notice increased sensitivity when you run your tongue over the affected tooth or teeth. Holes and pits are typically signs of more severe decay.

4. Toothache

As decay works its way into a tooth, it irritates the nerves and blood vessels in dentin. You may experience an ongoing toothache or lingering pain when you chew food or brush your teeth. Unless a dentist cleans and fills the cavity, the bacteria and acid can infect tooth pulp and create an abscess, or a painful pocket of pus.

5. Bad Breath

Excessive bacteria in the mouth from insufficient teeth cleaning practices and tooth decay causes bad breath. If bacterial waste is severe enough, you might notice a foul taste in your mouth. If regular brushing and flossing don’t solve your breath issue, you probably have at least one cavity. 

If you suspect a cavity, schedule an appointment with Kennedy Dental Group in Anchorage, AK. They’ve served the region for over 40 years, providing a comprehensive range of general and cosmetic dentistry services. Call (907) 277-5684 today to make your appointment or visit the dentist online to learn more about their family dentistry treatments.