A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused by bacteria. Cavities can cause pain and can lead to other dental problems if they are not treated.
What does a cavity look like?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused by bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria eat the sugar in your food and produce acid. The acid wears away the enamel on your tooth. When the enamel is gone, the dentin is exposed. The dentin is softer than enamel and it can be eaten away by the bacteria. This process causes a cavity.
How do you know if you have a cavity?
Tooth decay is a result of the acids in your mouth that eat away at your teeth. Cavities can also form when plaque, a sticky film on your teeth, hardens into tartar. There are many signs that your teeth have a cavity.
Some of these signs include:
The tooth is very sensitive to cold or warmth. The tooth is sore when you brush it. The tooth bleeds when you brush it. You may notice that your tooth is larger than it used to be. A cavity can fill in the space between the gum and the tooth. You may also notice that there is a small hole in the center of your tooth. It may feel like a small stone inside your tooth.
What are the symptoms of a cavity?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that is caused by bacteria. Cavities can be painful and cause other health problems if left untreated. Symptoms of a cavity include toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, pain when biting down, and a change in the color of your tooth. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a dentist as soon as possible.
How is a cavity treated?
A cavity is a hole in your tooth that can be caused by bacteria. Cavities can cause pain, and if left untreated, they can lead to bigger problems, like infection. Treatment for cavities usually involves a dentist filling the cavity with a material like composite resin or silver amalgam.
What is a crown?
A crown is a restoration that covers the entire front or back surface of your tooth. It looks and functions like a natural tooth. Crowns can be used to replace a missing tooth or to restore the appearance of one that has been damaged by decay, injury, or trauma.
What to do if you think you have a cavity.
If you are experiencing tooth pain and think you may have a cavity, there are a few things you can do to ease the pain until you can see a dentist. Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help reduce inflammation and swelling. You can also use over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce any pain or inflammation. If the pain is severe, however, or if it does not improve after a few days, be sure to see a dentist as soon as possible.
