The last thing you want to discover is a decayed tooth in your mouth. Tooth decay is a sign of something serious going on with your oral health. If tooth decay isn’t treated quickly, it can spread and might even cause you to lose your tooth.
As soon as you believe you’re suffering from tooth decay, you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist. A visit with your dentist is the best way to treat and prevent tooth decay, but how will you know if you need to see your dentist? There are several signs of tooth decay to keep in mind.
If you notice any of these signs, then you know it’s time to seek out dental care and tooth decay treatment. In the guide below, you’ll discover what these signs are. Continue reading to get started!
1. Sensitivity When Biting
Cracks in your teeth, cavities, and tooth decay can affect the integrity of your teeth. When a tooth is affected by tooth decay, it loses its strength. For this reason, you might notice some sensitivity when biting down or chewing on food.
As you apply pressure or release the pressure of biting down, you could experience sharp pain. This is a sign of tooth decay. You could also notice sensitivity when eating cold or hot foods as well.
Although tooth sensitivity could be caused by other factors, tooth decay is a common culprit and you should seek out the advice of your dentist as soon as possible to prevent the spread of an infection or worsening conditions.
2. Tooth Pain
Have you been experiencing a constant toothache? There are many reasons why you might be suffering from toothache, and tooth decay is one of them. If you have either a dull or throbbing ache around your tooth that doesn’t go away, then you’ll want to make sure it isn’t caused by decay.
If you notice some pain while chewing or eating that goes away quickly, then there’s not too much to worry about. If the pain is constant, then there’s an oral health issue that needs to be addressed. It’s also important to take note that there might be more than one tooth affected, so seeking dental care as soon as possible is ideal.
3. Rough Feeling on Tooth
If you feel as though something’s off with your teeth or tooth, then you might want to use your tongue to feel around your mouth. Feel each tooth that is causing you pain or sensitivity. Do you feel a rough area on your tooth?
Your tongue can pick up on even the smallest of changes to your teeth. Noticing something rough or sharp on your tooth could be an indication that a cavity is present. Schedule an appointment with your dentist for confirmation.
4. Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed easily? If you notice blood in the sink after brushing and flossing your teeth, then this could be an early sign of tooth decay and gingivitis. In most cases, it’s due to a buildup of dental plaque on the gum line.
You’ll notice your gums swelling, becoming more sensitive, and bleeding easily. Bleeding gums are also an indication of poor dental habits, which should be reversed immediately. If you’re not already doing so, then start brushing and flossing twice a day at the least.
Always be sure to brush near your gum line and on your tongue. Bring floss picks with you everywhere you go so you can floss after eating meals away from home.
5. Bad Taste in Your Mouth
Have you noticed a bad taste in your mouth after eating food or even after brushing or flossing? This could be a warning sign that tooth decay is forming. Dental bacteria produce sulfur when acting on food particles.
This contributes to the bad taste in your mouth. This could be due to prolonged poor oral hygiene and should be addressed with your dentist as soon as possible.
6. Discoloring on Your Teeth
If you notice brown or black/grey spots on your teeth that don’t go away after brushing, then tooth decay could be forming. It’s also important to note that any type of discoloration on your teeth could be a sign of tooth decay, so always be on the lookout for any changes to your tooth color.
Pits or holes on your teeth are also a sign of tooth decay. You’ll want to schedule an endodontic appointment with your dentist. What is endodontic treatment?
Endodontic treatments refer to treating the inside of your tooth where the pulp is located. Cavities in your teeth will require endodontic treatment.
7. Pressure While Biting
When you start to notice unusual pressure while biting down, chewing, or eating, then this is another indication of some sort of tooth decay or infection. There shouldn’t be any irregular pressure felt on your tooth while eating or biting down. Because this pressure is a sign of tooth decay, you’ll want to contact your dentist immediately to schedule an appointment for treatment.
Know the Signs of Tooth Decay
When you know the signs of tooth decay, you can act fast. The sooner you contact your dentist and receive treatment, the better chance you have at saving your tooth. Make sure to read each common sign of tooth decay listed above and always be on the lookout for these dental problems within your own mouth.
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