{"id":28701,"date":"2022-08-02T16:56:58","date_gmt":"2022-08-02T11:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/?p=28701"},"modified":"2026-07-05T19:16:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T13:46:30","slug":"what-are-symptoms-of-tooth-decay-or-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/what-are-symptoms-of-tooth-decay-or-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"What are symptoms of tooth decay or cavities?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you take good care of your teeth and visit the dentist<\/a> regularly, your chances of developing cavities are very low. However, not everyone is that lucky. Even with the best preventive measures and diligent oral hygiene<\/a>, some people develop dental cavities. If you have experienced a sudden increase in tooth sensitivity or have noticed swelling or redness of one or more of your teeth, it could be an indication that you have developed tooth decay and cavities. Here is more information on how to spot the symptoms of tooth decay and cavities so that you can take action before it gets out of hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get In Touch<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Call Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Who is this article for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This article is for patients who want to identify early signs of tooth decay before the tooth becomes painful. It is especially useful for people with sensitivity, black spots, white patches, food lodgement, bad breath, broken teeth, old fillings, or pain while chewing. Many cavities are painless in the beginning, so waiting for pain is not a safe way to detect decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is tooth cavity decay?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cavity or decay is the term used to describe a hole that develops in your teeth. Tooth decay has many causes, but the most common is plaque. Plaque<\/a> is a sticky, colourless film made up of bacteria that forms on the teeth. Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars in food and produce a substance called acid. As the acid dissolves the teeth, it can create holes in the teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are known as cavities (or caries). If left untreated, cavities can spread into the inner tissues and bones of the teeth, causing damage that can be painful and lead to tooth loss. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to catch and treat tooth decay early. The best way to do this is by visiting your dentist for a checkup and cleaning at least once every six months.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Painful Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Early symptoms of tooth decay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Early tooth decay may appear as white spots, chalky areas, brown marks, mild sensitivity, or food getting stuck in the same area. These signs may be easy to miss, especially between teeth or under old fillings. A dental check-up can detect decay before it becomes a large cavity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced symptoms of cavities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Advanced cavities may cause pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain while biting, visible holes, bad taste, swelling, pus, or broken tooth structure. If pain wakes you at night or swelling appears on the gums or face, the cavity may have reached the nerve or caused infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of tooth decay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swelling and Redness of the Tooth<\/strong>: If you have cavities, you may notice swelling or redness at the base of the tooth. This can be caused by the bacteria that is causing the decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sudden Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods<\/strong>: One of the most common cavity decay symptoms is increased tooth sensitivity. This may happen when the decay has reached the dentine or has spread to the gum line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad Breath<\/strong>: If you notice an unusual or persistent bad breath coming from your mouth, it could be a sign of tooth decay. Bad breath is often caused by bacteria that lives in the mouth and feeds on the sugars that are stuck in between the teeth after eating.<\/p>\n\n\n

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dry mouth
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Change in the Colour of Teeth<\/a><\/strong>: If you notice a sudden change in the colour of your teeth, it could mean that you have developed tooth decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in the Shape of Teeth<\/strong>: Changes in the shape of your teeth could be a sign of tooth loss due to cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tooth Abscess<\/strong>: A tooth abscess is a serious dental infection that occurs when the bacteria in the mouth infect the gums near a tooth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different symptoms of Tooth Decay<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Toothache<\/strong>: A toothache is one of the most painful and common signs of cavities. A toothache is usually caused by an infection in the gums caused by tooth decay. Once the bacteria from the decay has spread, it can lead to an infection that causes the gums to swell, gets inflamed, and produces pus and a foul odour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swollen Gums: <\/strong>Swollen gums and redness in the gums are also a sign of tooth and gum diseases. If you notice sudden changes in the gums, it could be a sign of gum disease or a warning sign of dental cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Changes in the Colour of Your Teeth<\/strong>: Changes in the colour of your teeth indicate that they are decaying. The most common colour change you notice is a darkening of your teeth. You might also notice small brown spots on your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes in the Shape of Your Teeth<\/strong>: Tooth decay can cause your teeth to become increasingly brittle. This can lead to fractures in your teeth, which can cause them to become misshapen and affect your smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get In Touch<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Call Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why are teeth sensitive during dental cavities?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Teeth are made up of different parts. The outside is the enamel. The inside is the dentin. The dentin is covered with a layer of enamel. The enamel is what protects the teeth from damage. But the dentin is the part of the tooth that is affected by tooth decay. When the bacteria that is causing the decay reaches the dentin, it causes the dentin to break down. Once the dentin breaks down, the nerve is exposed. The dentin and the nerve are responsible for the sensitivity you experience when you have dental cavities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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How to treat cavity decay and recover?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Step 1<\/strong>: Practice Good Oral Hygiene: The first and most important step in treating tooth decay is to practice good oral hygiene. This means brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. If you have an existing tooth decay, it is important to brush and floss more often. You can also use mouthwash to remove bacteria from your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2<\/strong>: See Your Dentist Regularly: Most dentists recommend that you visit them once every six months. During the visit, your dentist will perform a thorough cleaning of your teeth, followed by a fluoride treatment. The fluoride treatment can prevent tooth decay from worsening and will also help you to recover from the existing tooth decay faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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