A cavity does not always mean a toothache. In fact, tooth pain does not occur until the cavity has eaten away enough of your tooth to reach the inside, where the nerve and pulp are. Knowing the early indicators of a cavity and having it treated can save you time, money and, most importantly, pain. With help from your Findlay, OH dentist, you can locate and treat tooth decay early.

Signs You May Have a Cavity

• Pain: Tooth pain is the most obvious sign of decay. Tooth pain may be triggered by stimulation, like eating or biting down. It can also be an ongoing ache. This is a sign of damage to the nerve, and a dentist needs to examine the tooth as soon as possible.
• Sensitivity: Sudden sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks is a common indication of a cavity. Decayed teeth are also sensitive to sugary foods like candy.
• Staining: A dark spot on the tooth’s chewing surface is a sign of tooth decay. Your dentist can help you determine if your stain is a cavity or simply a discoloration.
• Holes or pits: If you notice a hole in your tooth, this means your enamel has been eroded by decay. This is often a tell-tale sign of a cavity.
• Bad breath: If you notice that your breath is worse than normal, even though you practice good dental hygiene, the cause might be a cavity. Gum disease due to tooth decay is also a common cause of bad breath.

How is a cavity treated? 
Removing the decay from the tooth is the main goal of cavity treatment.Your dentist removes decay from smaller cavities using a dental drill, then fills the tooth using filling materials, usually composite resin. If the decay has infected the tooth’s pulp, your dentist will use root canal therapy. This process removes the decay, along with the damaged nerve and tooth pulp. The tooth’s roots and inside are scrubbed clean to ensure no bacteria is trapped inside the filling. Your dentist fills the tooth and places a dental crown over it. The crown protects and stabilizes the tooth to prevent further issues.

For more information on cavities or early cavity detection, please contact your dentist at DeClerk Family Dental in Findlay, OH. Call (419) 422-8972 to schedule your appointment today.