What Do Cavities Look Like?
Is your tooth pain keeping you up at night? You must be wondering if it’s cavities. Cavities are a common dental problem that can affect people of all ages. A cavity does not have a fixed shape or size. These tiny holes in your teeth can vary depending on their location and severity. In this article, we will look at the visual signs of cavities and also how to prevent and manage them. If you recognize these early signs you will be better equipped to seek treatment. Brief Introduction of Cavities And Their Significance Cavities are small holes in the enamel of the teeth. It is also called tooth decay. Cavities are caused by bacteria that feed on sugars in food. This decay can progress into a cavity. If cavities are not treated at the right time they continue to grow larger and larger and cause pain and other larger problems for you. Regular dental check ups and good oral hygiene like brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities from developing. Importance Of Recognizing The Visual Signs Of Cavities It is very important to recognize the first signs of cavities so that you can combat the problem head on. This can help to prevent the decay and damage from spreading further. This also saves you from more expensive treatments later on. If you recognize the cavities early on, you can prevent further damage and preserve the tooth structure. Finding and treating cavities can also improve your overall dental health and life by eliminating your pain and sensitivity. Understanding Cavities What Are Cavities? Cavities are small holes on your tooth’s surface. Definition And Formation Of Cavities Cavities are silent attackers of your tooth. They start as microscopic damage to your teeth. They are caused by bacteria that eat away the sugars in your teeth. The bacteria form a sticky film called plaque that damages your teeth. As cavities progress you will see the enamel decay, dentin decay and then it reaches the pulp which can cause severe pain. In advanced cases, infection can spread beyond the tooth and can form very painful abscesses in the gums. Cavities can form on any surface like chewing surfaces, between two teeth, and near the gum line. By understanding how cavities form you are better equipped to catch them. How Tooth Decay Develops Over Time Tooth decay develops gradually over time. This mostly happens because bacteria interact with sugars and acids in the mouth. Plaque buildup occurs when people neglect dental hygiene and proper flossing and brushing. Further neglect turns plaque into tartar. The next step in the process of tooth decay is demineralization, which appears as brown or white spots. When demineralization continues for a longer period, it weakens the enamel. The teeth then develop a cavity. After the enamel breaks down completely, the next layer, dentin, breaks down. This leads to nerve damage, and you experience hot and cold sensations in your teeth. If you still take no care, the tooth continues to suffer damage. This can cause significant pain and inflammation. The body responds with an infection, leading to severe pain and damage. You may eventually need to extract the tooth to get rid of the pain completely. Visual Signs of cavities Visual signs of cavities help us to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy tooth. By taking care of your teeth and carefully inspecting them you can save them from advanced stages of cavities. Early Cavity Indicators Visual signs of cavities can be different depending on what stage of tooth decay you are. In the early stages, demineralization causes white chalky spots on the tooth surface. These areas become softer and more prone to further decay. Later on, you may notice areas of the tooth that are rough or uneven. These spots indicate the breakdown of enamel. These spots may not cause immediate discomfort but they are definitely a cause for concern. They are the early warning signs of tooth decay to come later on. Discoloration and Spots on Teeth As cavities continue to progress discoloration becomes more apparent. These teeth often show black or yellow spots developing on the surface of the tooth. In more advanced cases the whole tooth may appear dull or strained which is a clear indication that the enamel has broken down. This is a clear visual indicator that the decay has progressed beyond the surface. Sensitivity and minor pain One of the early signs that even common people understand well is the sensitivity to hot and cold and minor pain in the affected tooth. The sensitivity is due to the enamel breaking down and the dentin being exposed. This discomfort can occur when chewing or even when the tooth is at rest. Types of Cavities in Teeth Minor Cavities Minor cavities are considered the early stages of cavities in teeth. They usually affect the enamel and may not cause any pain or discomfort before the more severe damage has been done. They show up as white, brown or black spots on the teeth. Characteristics And Visual Signs The minor cavity only affects the outermost layer of the teeth. These cavities only harm the outermost layer of the tooth. These are caused by the prolonged exposure to sugary and acidic items in your food. Deep Cavities Deep cavities extend beyond the enamel and into the deeper layer of the teeth. There are no home remedies to fix deep cavities and only a filling can fix them. If they are left untreated they will continue to deepen and may cause tooth decay. Appearance And Potential Complication These cavities are often dark in appearance and can cause sensitivity or pain. If left untreated, deep cavities can lead to more serious issues like infections, abscess or even tooth loss. These cavities don’t heal naturally and medical intervention is necessary. Cavity On Side Of Tooth Cavities can appear on the side of the tooth. They are usually caused by plaque on teeth. Regular dental check ups and good
What to do in an Emergency Dental Situation
With an increase in dental emergencies over the last decade there has never been a better time to discuss the topic. When a serious dental problem arises that requires your immediate attention, it’s often stressful and daunting to deal with. It’s best if you already Emergency Dentistryknow the best ways to cope with a dental emergency, so that you can be prepared for anything. Knocked-Out Tooth A knocked-out tooth can be a scary situation. Here is the best way to handle this emergency should it happen to you or someone you know: Gently rinse out of the tooth, being sure to only handle it by the crown and never the roots. Rinse out your mouth with warm water. If possible, try to place the tooth back into the socket. If this isn’t possible, either hold the tooth between your cheeks or place it in a container of milk. See your Queen Creek emergency dentist right away. A knocked out tooth can be saved if you seek treatment within an hour of the incident. Fractured Tooth While chips and cracks are a bit more obvious, most people won’t even be able to see that they have a fracture or break in their tooth. Pain is often the most common symptom of a fractured tooth. You may notice severe pain or sensitivity that comes and goes when chewing or releasing your bite. A fractured tooth will not heal on its own and it can’t be treated at home. You need to see your Queen Creek dentist right away. Here are some other steps you can take: Rinse your mouth out with warm water to remove any food particles or debris. If there is swelling or pain, use a cold compress or opt for over-the-counter pain medications to reduce your symptoms. If there is bleeding, apply pressure to the area for a few minutes with gauze or a towel. Broken Braces Damaged braces aren’t effective and can actually increase the length of treatment if not tended to right away. If a wire comes loose and is sticking out this could cut the gums or cheek. Try using the eraser end of a pencil to slowly and carefully push the wire back, then visit your Queen Creek dentist right away so we can replace the damaged wire. Bitten Cheek/Tongue A bleeding mouth is always a disconcerting. If you’ve bitten your tongue or cheek put a moist compress on the bite and apply pressure for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 minutes or if it gets worse, then it’s time to take a trip to your local emergency room for care. If you are dealing with a dental emergency in Queen Creek let Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry, PLLC handle any of your smile issues. Our goal is to preserve and protect your smile from permanent damage.
What is Causing My Tooth Pain?
It is hard to ignore any level of tooth pain that you may be experiencing. There is a multitude of reasons you may be experiencing tooth pain. While some tooth pain can resolve on its own, others may require a trip to an emergency dentist in San Tan Valley, AZ. When this is the case, trust Dr. Matthew Roper and his team at Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry to identify the source of your tooth pain and administer the necessary treatment. Why Are Your Teeth Hurting? Here are some of the most common reasons for toothaches. You Have a Cavity/Decayed Tooth The most common reason for tooth pain is a cavity or decayed tooth. If you fail to maintain your oral hygiene habits daily, food particles and bacteria will increase the levels of acid in the mouth. As a result, the enamel will wear away on your teeth and cause cavities. Your teeth will become sensitive and vulnerable to even further infection (decay). Dr. Roper can perform an exam to determine the extent of the decay. You may like: Can Dental Procedures be Restored? You Have a Damaged Tooth If you have sudden, sharp pain that does not go away, you may have a physically damaged tooth. In other words, your tooth may have suffered a crack, fracture, chip, or other forms of damage. In some cases, this physical damage may be easy to notice, especially if it is a result of an accident; however, there are instances when it may be more difficult to notice and you’ll need an emergency dentist in San Tan Valley, AZ, like Dr. Roper, to identify the damage. You Are Grinding Your Teeth Some people will grind their teeth in their sleep and never realize they are doing it. Other people grind their teeth as a way to cope with anger and/or stress. Whatever the case may be, if you are grinding your teeth, it can cause serious damage to your oral health overall. An easy solution to stop your tooth pain and the damage is to have Dr. Roper set you up with a custom mouth guard to wear at night. You Have Receding Gums Your gums are designed to protect the nerves of your teeth. When your gums start to recede, those nerves end up getting exposed, resulting in tooth sensitivity and pain. Receding gums can result from numerous things, such as gum disease as well as hard brushing over an extended period of time. Dr. Roper will need to diagnose this underlying issue of your tooth pain. Don’t suffer in pain. Call (480) 457-1977 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roper, our emergency dentist in San Tan Valley, AZ, here at Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry. You may like: Can Dental Procedures be Restored?
Give Your Tooth a Second Chance
A decayed or damaged tooth isn’t a lost cause. Find out what we can do.root canal When you break or fracture a tooth you may just assume that the tooth will have to be removed. You may just ignore it thinking that if the problem is out of sight then it’s out of mind. Whatever you do, do not ignore these issues. Especially since our Sun Tan Valley, AZ, dentists – Dr. Matthew Roper, Dr. Nathan McLaws and Dr. Matthew Scheerhorn – offer up a simple and effective way to preserve the tooth for life. What are the benefits of root canal therapy? A root canal is a procedure in which we go through the hard outer layers of the tooth until we reach the inside. Once inside, we remove the infected or inflamed dental pulp that is causing all those painful issues. Most people come into our office complaining of a nagging, persistent toothache that just won’t go away. This is a classic sign of a damaged dental pulp that needs to be removed. By removing the dental pulp we can prevent the spread of infection, preserve the structure of the tooth and also eliminate your dental pain (isn’t that a relief?). During the procedure, we will also seal up the roots of your teeth to prevent bacteria from entering and infecting the tooth again. Plus, this procedure can easily be performed right here in our office in just one visit. You may like: Santan Teeth Whitening Wait, but isn’t a root canal painful? Contrary to what you might have been told, there are certainly a lot of myths circulating about root canal treatment but they simply aren’t accurate. In fact, if you ask any of our Sun Tan Valley family dentists they will tell you that getting a root canal is no more complicated or invasive than treating a cavity. Plus, root canals are always performed under the effects of local anesthesia, so the area we treat will be completely numb before we even begin. Do you have questions about root canal therapy? Dealing with a toothache that just won’t quit? Then call Ocotillo Trails Family Dentistry in Sun Tan Valley, AZ, right away. We are invested in your dental health. You may like: Root Canals