How to Know If You Have Dental Cavities in Aurora

Good oral hygiene is important to prevent cavity formation. But sometimes, dental cavities develop even if you practice proper brushing and flossing. 

Cavities develop when bacteria and food build up on the teeth and become plaque. A plaque has acid-producing bacteria that erode your tooth enamel. Regular tooth brushing and flossing can help in removing plaque; however, plaque buildups can eat away at your enamel and create cavities. Once this happens, your tooth will have a hole. This will require you to see a dentist in Aurora and get a dental filling or another dental solution depending on the severity of the cavity. 

When cavities are not treated immediately, they can destroy your teeth and cause more severe problems like an infection or an abscess, which can threaten your life when it gets in the bloodstream. Thus, you need to watch the formation of cavities and visit your dentist immediately when you spot them. You may have cavities when you experience any of the following:

Tooth Pain

When you experience a toothache, make an appointment to visit your dentist as soon as possible. As cavities develop, you may experience pain even if you chew a soft food item. Eventually, this will lead to consistent tooth pain whenever you drink or eat something.

Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitivity to a tooth can feel like a tickle or tingle at certain times, particularly when you eat or drink something cold or hot. Also, you may experience this sensitivity when you bite into something acidic, sweet, or sugary. Typically, it happens when bacteria start to eat through your tooth enamel. 

Holes, Spots, and Stains

If a tooth has a spot, this could mean a cavity is forming. Although spots are often the first to appear, you may also notice a brown or black stain. Over time, such stains and spots will become a hole or pit in the tooth when not treated promptly. 

Bad Breath

With a decaying tooth, bacteria will spread and may get deeper into your tooth. This can lead to bad breath. Chronic bad breath can indicate a worsening cavity.  Addressing this may include getting a root canal treatment. You can avoid this expensive procedure when you visit your dentist right away.

A Broken or Chipped Tooth

Even a minimal broken or chipped tooth must be checked by your dentist as soon as possible. Breaks, cracks, and chips can increase your tooth’s vulnerability to plaque buildup and invasive bacteria. Thus, leaving a broken or chipped tooth untreated can easily result in tooth damage and cavity.