Have you noticed that a tooth has started to feel uncomfortable while eating or drinking? Perhaps you have begun to adjust the way you bite or chew food to accommodate minor discomfort.
It is easy to ignore small warning signs, but recognizing them and paying attention to when something feels wrong is important. Early diagnosis and treatment could prevent a full-blown toothache in Newcastle and the need for lengthier and costlier treatment later.
Tooth decay or a cavity in a tooth is caused by infectious bacteria in dental plaque, which produce acids that erode tooth enamel. Cavities can also occur if you eat a lot of sugary foods.
Cavities in Clarington are a common problem, and often the first signs are symptomless or silent.
What are the Signs of a Cavity in a Tooth?
Symptoms can include the following.
Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity is an early sign of a cavity and occurs when tooth enamel is weakened, exposing the more sensitive dentin underneath. At this point, you may find that your tooth feels sensitive when you eat anything hot or cold, as well as sweet and sour foods.
White, Brown, or Black Spots on Teeth
A white spot or lesion can be the first sign that something is wrong. It indicates that some minerals have been removed from tooth enamel, weakening and softening it. As enamel continues to erode, these white spots can develop into brown or black spots, indicating the early stages of a cavity.
Pain
As a cavity deepens, it will cause tooth pain. This occurs when the decay has reached the innermost parts of the tooth called the pulp. The pulp houses the tooth nerve, and when it becomes infected and inflamed, it causes a very nasty toothache in Courtice.
Pain may be present when you bite down or may be continuous. If the tooth nerve dies, it might seem as if the pain has disappeared, but the infection causing the cavity remains and will continue to worsen.
Swollen Gums
The gum around the affected tooth can start to swell as the infection worsens. At this point, the infection may have begun to spread beyond the tooth, and the gum might feel tender to the touch.
When to Visit West Bowmanville Family Dental for a Cavity
We recommend contacting us to book a dental exam as soon as you notice any discomfort in a tooth, especially if it has been a while since your last dental checkup. Diagnosing and treating a small lesion or cavity is very straightforward.
Treating the Early Signs of Tooth Decay
Treatment could involve professional fluoride applications in the form of a gel or varnish. These can help to reharden and remineralize tooth enamel softened by exposure to acids.
Small cavities can be filled with tooth-coloured composite resin, a durable, lifelike material that restores a tooth nearly invisibly.
Treating Larger Cavities
Sometimes a larger cavity can be filled with a ceramic or gold filling, called an inlay or onlay. However, if the cavity has reached the dental pulp, endodontic treatment or root canal therapy is necessary.
Root canal therapy removes the infected pulp so we can restore the tooth with a dental crown. A crown is most likely necessary, as the tooth may have lost much of its original structure. Using an ordinary filling would not be strong enough to protect the tooth.
If you have an uncomfortable or painful tooth, please get in touch with us. We can provide expert, gentle dental care to relieve discomfort quickly. It also means there is a greater chance of saving the tooth. A severely infected tooth cannot always be saved and must be removed, a situation we always strive to avoid.