Health is wealth, no doubt about that. Your oral health is as important as the health of other organs in your body.

It is important to prevent cavities or decaying of teeth to keep your oral health upright. Although you implant new teeth, there is no alternative to natural teeth.

Research shows that the adult population suffers the most from dental cavities though it can affect people of all ages.

If you leave your dental cavities untreated, they can cause further complications and you may lose your teeth completely.

How do cavities occur?

Plaque is a condition that occurs when food and microbes, especially bacteria accumulate in your teeth. The microbes in plaque produce acidic secretions, which can erode the enamel located on the teeth surface.

If you want to get rid of plaques, you need to brush your teeth. Make sure you floss your teeth accurately.

If you allow building up of the plaque, it can cause cavities. What is a cavity? Well, it a hole in your tooth. If you don’t treat it, it can destroy your tooth.

So much so, untreated cavities can cause further complications such as an infection and teeth abscess.

The infection can get into your bloodstream, which can harm your health. There are certain areas in your mouth, which are at higher risk of developing plaques.

These areas include your molars’ chewing surfaces where food bits can collect in the crevices and grooves. Plaques that leads to cavities can also occur between your teeth. Similarly, cavities can also occur in the bottom area of your teeth – i.e. the gums.

Some food items such as ice cream, hard candy, dry fruits, soda, chips cookies, and cake cling to your teeth.

Therefore, doctors recommend brushing your teeth after eating any of these food items. This way, you can avoid the buildup of food bits and bacteria. Research shows that cavities affect both children and adults.

Signs and symptoms of a cavity

There are a few signs and symptoms, which indicate the occurrence of a cavity. It is important to know these signs and symptoms so that you can do your analysis and determine whether or not you have a cavity.

Sensitivity to Hot and Cold

If you feel that your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold food items, this could be a sign of having a cavity.

When your tooth’s enamel begins to wear away, it affects the dentin – a hard tissue layering below the enamel. This hard tissue has different smaller hollow tubes.

Hot and cold food items or beverages can cause the stimulation of nerve and cells inside your tooth.

This usually happens when you don’t have enough enamel content in the teeth to protect the dentin. As a result, the condition leads to sensitivity.

Sensitivity to Sweets

Research studies have confirmed that cold and hot beverages/foods are common sensitivities that indicate the development of plaques and cavities.

Some dental research studies have highlighted that people lingering sensitivity to sugary drinks and sweets can also suffer from tooth decay.

Discomfort from sweets, just like temperature sensitivity, can cause damage to your tooth enamel, which leads to the development of a cavity.

Stained Tooth

If your tooth is stained or if there are any stains on it, then you have chances of developing a cavity. The stains usually have a white appearance. They look like white spots.

With the advancement of tooth decay, the stains become darker. This can cause a cavity, which has either white, black, or brown appearance. This type of cavity usually appears on the tooth surface.

Toothache

Toothache is the most prominent symptom of having a cavity. If you have a toothache that is not going away even after you have taken some painkillers, it indicates that you have a cavity.

Likewise, pain is the sign of the tooth cavity itself. Sometimes, your toothache comes on suddenly. Other times, it is because of some food like hard candy.

No matter the reason for the pain, it is important to treat the pain as it is extremely discomforting and makes your mouth sore. If the pain prolongs, you may have difficulty eating food.

Tooth hole

If there are any white spots on your tooth, this is the indication of cavity development. The situation gets intense when there is a pit or hole in your tooth.

Use a hand-held mirror, open your mouth, and see if there is a pit or hole. You can also run your tongue on the tooth surface to determine the hole.

Some holes occur between the crevices and you can’t see them. So, if you feel sensitivity or pain in your mouth, it means you have a cavity.

Likewise, if you notice a pit or hole in your tooth, it is time to see your dentist. A hole in your tooth is the clearest sign that you have a cavity, which will lead to tooth decay.

Conclusion

Dental hygiene is important for your overall health and wellbeing. Your mouth acts as a gateway for food items.

At the same time, it is an entryway for microbes like bacteria and viruses. So, to avoid cavities in your teeth, make sure you brush your teeth before and after eating your meals or at least in the morning and before going to bed.

Lastly, if you have any of the above signs and symptoms, consult your dentist immediately so that he or she prescribes you medication or any other treatment.

How can you tell if you have a cavity at home?

In the meantime, here are some ways that you can check things out on your own to see if you may have a cavity:
  1. Look for any noticeable holes in your teeth.
  2. Take note of any discoloration on your teeth.
  3. Notice how often you experience a toothache or sensitivity.
  4. Check your breath.

Can cavities go away on their own?

Cavities don’t just go away on their own. If you ignore a cavity, it will continue to grow in size. One bad cavity could lead to a second cavity before long. Decay of the tooth will widen and deepen; this will make you more prone to brittle teeth leaving them to the possibility of breaking and breaking.

What does a cavity look like when it first starts?

What Does a Cavity Look Like? Some cavities start with a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel of your tooth. More serious cases can have a discolored brown or black color. However, most often there are no distinguishable red alerts.

Can you feel a cavity?

What Does a Cavity Feel Like? Your tooth enamel doesn’t have any nerve endings, so if the decay is just on the surface you might not feel anything. If the damage gets down through the enamel, deeper into the inner layer or dentin, you‘re more likely to: Feel a toothache or feel pain when eating, drinking or biting down.

Can you feel a cavity with your finger?

A noticeable cavity will probably look like a dark spot or hole on your tooth. If the cavity has become very large, you may even be able to feel the hole with your tongue or finger.

How do you fix a cavity at home?

The following home remedies might help prevent cavities or treat “pre-cavities” by remineralizing weakened areas of your enamel before a cavity develops:
  1. Sugar-free gum.
  2. Vitamin D.
  3. Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
  4. Cut out sugary foods.
  5. Oil pulling.
  6. Licorice root.

How much does it cost to fill a cavity?

Fillings, while more expensive than basic dental check-ups, both fix cavities and protect your mouth’s future health. Most filling treatments hold stable prices in the following ranges: $50 to $150 for a single, silver amalgam filling. $90 to $250 for a single, tooth-colored composite filling.

Can you fix a cavity without a filling?

In short, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities because a dentist tends to want to remove the decayed part (the cavity) and fill it to stop any further damage from occurring. While there aren’t ways to remove a cavity without using a filling, there are ways almost to reverse the decay.

Do dentists lie about cavities?

A cavity is a cavity and there should be no difference between two dentists, right? The answer is not always. Unfortunately, a cavity can be deceptive. It can hide and be obscured by old fillings, location, or just not be obvious by eye or X-ray.

Do dentists do unnecessary fillings?

“It’s unnecessary for patients to have fillings because they’re not required in many cases of dental decay,” said Wendell Evans of the University of Sydney in a statement. “This research signals the need for a major shift in the way tooth decay is managed by dentists …

Can small cavities be reversed?

The formation of small dental cavities can be reversed by a process called remineralization, when the deposition of minerals is applied to damaged areas of a tooth. Fluoride works by helping to remineralize your teeth in two ways, internally and externally.

Can I wait a month to fill a cavity?

We know that cavities don’t just form overnight; in reality, it can take a few months or even possibly a year before the tooth decay advances to a point where the cavity will need attention. During the dental exam, we review daily brushing and flossing regimen to determine your risk of tooth enamel erosion.

How long does it take for a cavity to destroy a tooth?

Multiple factors can influence how quickly tooth decay progresses, including oral hygiene, diet, and more. However, most cavities take several months or years to form. In this article, we’ll discuss how cavities form, how long it takes a cavity to progress, and how to maintain good oral hygiene to prevent cavities.

How many cavities is normal?

According to the National Institutes of Health, 92% of adults in the United States between the ages of 20 and 64 years have had cavities in their permanent teeth. Each of these individuals has an average of 3.28 cavities.

Are cavities my fault?

Even if you practice the best oral hygiene, you may develop cavities through no fault of your own. There is a genetic component to how susceptible your teeth are to developing cavities, and cavities can be caused by a lack of fluoride in the water.

How long does it take to fill 3 cavities?

A dental cavity filling takes about an hour or less to do. If you need several fillings, then your dentist may decide to treat them during multiple visits. After you get the filling, your tooth may feel sore or sensitive for several hours or days.

Why am I suddenly getting cavities?

The stress of changes in your daily routine, like starting a new job, starting school, or starting a new habit, can adversely affect your health—oral health included. It may even be the reason for the sudden appearance of a cavity. Stress affects us all differently, but a common side effect is experiencing a dry mouth.