How Can I Tell If I Have a Cavity?
Cavities can cause discomfort and difficulty chewing. If allowed to progress without treatment, cavities can also lead to dental infection. Your dentist in Charlottesville, VA, can help you determine whether you have a cavity. If you have a cavity, get quick treatment.
The first step to getting help for your cavity is to identify the problem. It helps to know the signs you have a cavity.
What Is a Cavity?
A cavity is an area of tooth decay. Cavities are usually the result of poor oral hygiene habits and a high-sugar diet. If you drink a lot of sugary drinks and eat a lot of sugary foods, you may be at high risk of cavities. Children are often at risk of cavities for these reasons.
Symptoms of Cavities
If you have a cavity, you may not have any symptoms at all. If you do have symptoms, they may get progressively worse if you don’t seek treatment quickly. Here are some of the symptoms of cavities:
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away when you brush your teeth
- Toothache that doesn’t go away
- Pain when you bite down
- Tooth sensitivity
You may also be able to see your cavity. Look inside your mouth at the area where you’re experiencing pain. Do you see discoloration, like black or brown tooth enamel? Do you see a hole in your tooth? This may be a cavity.
What to Do If You Have a Cavity
If you have a cavity, get treatment from a dentist. At South Side Dental Center, we treat cavities with amalgam and composite fillings. We’ll talk to you about the differences between these two filling types to help you decide which filling is right for you.
What Happens If I Wait to Get A Cavity Filling?
Cavities get worse over time. If you wait to get a cavity filling, the hole in your tooth may get bigger and deeper. If the hole gets big enough, your tooth may become infected by bacteria. This may require you to get a root canal.
Do you need cavity fillings in Charlottesville, VA? If so, the dental professionals at South Side Dental Center are here to help. Call today.
