Having healthy teeth is an important part of overall dental health. It is what serves as a precautionary factor in protecting your teeth from all potential defects and diseases. Most common dental issues result from overlooking decaying teeth for too long. This is where you might need to get a root canal treatment or similar alternatives to recover the state of your teeth.
However, thankfully, tooth decays are a dental condition that can be easily prevented by regular dental hygiene practices. In addition, they can also be quickly addressed and given the necessary medical attention by watching out for these common symptoms.
1. White Flecks on the Teeth
A common or perhaps early symptom of tooth decay is the development of white flecks on the tooth. The flecks are a result of the acids from the plaque chipping away at the enamel layer of the tooth. If you allow the tooth decay to progress these flecks will gradually change their colour into brown or black stains.
If proper attention is not given during this stage, the acids from the plaque can progressively destroy the other layers of the teeth in the order of enamel to dentin, down to the pulp (which has a tooth’s blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue).
2. Cavities
The second stage of tooth decay is cavities, as the tooth decay erodes the enamel and creates a hole or gap on the surface. You can easily notice this symptom when you see your teeth in the mirror or as you brush or floss the teeth. You may also feel these cavities as holes or gaps if you run your tongue over your teeth. However, if you have developed cavities, it’s always recommended to go to a reliable dentist as fast as possible and get them treated and filled.
3. Bad Breath
Having continuous bad breath is another clear indication of tooth decay. It is mainly caused by rotting food that is stuck inside a cavity or the buildup of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
4. Toothache
Having a toothache of similar spontaneous pain within the oral cavity means that your tooth has an infection caused by tooth decay. Pain when you bite down on food could also be a symptom of tooth decay.
5. Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Foods
Similar to toothache, if you feel a mild to sharp pain or sensation when you eat or drink something hot or cold, it can be a sign of tooth decay. As tooth decay wears away the enamel or protective layer of the teeth, it exposes the dentin and pulp layer where your nerves lie. This results in stimulating your nerves and blood vessels, causing pain when you eat or drink any hot or cold food. Sometimes this sensation or sign can also be evident in sweet food or drinks.
7. Swollen Gums/Tooth Abscess
When tooth decay penetrates the deeper layers of the tooth, they reach the pulp of the tooth, and the possibility of getting an infection is high as that’s where the nerves and blood vessels lie.
This infection can then lead to tooth abscesses which are pockets of pus that form beneath the tooth. As the abscess grows, it may cause your gum and face to swell.
The final symptom of tooth decay is tooth loss. A tooth abscess can push out the tooth in front of the root causing it to fall. Considering these it’s always best to seek proper advice from a professional dental clinic as soon as you come across any early symptoms of tooth decay. This can easily prevent the condition from leading to other compilations.
