What Are The Signs Of Tooth Decay? 6 Signs To Look Out For

You may not know, but the condition of your teeth affects both your overall and general health which is why you should never ignore your teeth. You only get one set of permanent teeth so it’s important to know what are the signs of tooth decay so that you can get treatment fast before your symptoms develop into something more serious and costly. 

Before delving into the symptoms that indicate the presence of decay, let’s take a closer look at this condition.

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, refers to the destruction of tooth enamel. Our mouths contain a multitude of bacteria that are also found in the plaque that forms a sticky layer on our teeth. They thrive by living on the sugars found in the foods that we eat to provide them with the energy they need. 

To convert sugar to energy, bacteria in the mouth produce acid. This attacks the enamel on the teeth causing it to break down and leading to the early signs of decay such as dark spots on the teeth and eventually a hole or cavity. 

Saliva acts as a natural mouthwash to flush sugar out of the mouth and into the stomach. It’s the good guy that helps prevent tooth decay from occurring by fighting the bacteria, preventing acids from causing damage, and using its minerals to reverse the early signs of tooth decay. 

Unfortunately, when the amount of acid from bacteria is greater than the protective elements of your saliva, tooth decay is inevitable.

Several symptoms should alert you to the fact that something bad is going on in your mouth. Seven of the most common include:

Often the things we like to eat (sweets food or drinks) can also give us a clue if there is a hole developing in a tooth. This may be one of the first symptoms of a problem developing and it is important to get this checked by your dentist. 

If without any warning you start to experience dull or throbbing aches that increase each day, it’s time to visit your dentist for an examination. When detected early, tooth decay is easier to treat and may prevent it from recurring. 

Besides toothache, another symptom that your tooth is decaying is feeling unusual pressure on the tooth when you bite or chew your food. If you haven’t felt this type of pressure before, then there’s every reason to feel concerned. This is not a sign of a healthy tooth. 

Small depressions or pits on the teeth are other indicators that tooth decay is setting in. If when you take a closer look you see signs of noticeable holes in your tooth then that should confirm your suspicions. Sometimes, however, the pits may be so small that they are only detected by an x-ray which is why regular dental check-ups are so important. 

Pus oozing out of your gums or around your tooth is an abscess that’s caused by a bacterial infection. It’s usually caused by an untreated dental cavity, previous dental work, or injury. Treatment involves draining the abscess to remove the infection and your dentist may be able to save the tooth with a root canal. This symptom should be treated as a dental emergency since if it gets worse it could become more dangerous. 

If your gums start to bleed and swell simultaneously, you should visit your dentist right away. This is one of the most common signs of tooth decay and typically requires immediate attention. 

It’s only natural to flinch if something is overly hot or overly cold but if you flinch every time you eat or drink something cold or hot, then this is sensitivity overdrive and could indicate the presence of cavities.

These are 6 signs of tooth decay to be on the lookout for. Other symptoms include brown or black spots on the tooth enamel which mean your tooth is starting to decay. You may also experience a nasty taste in your mouth and your breath may smell unpleasant. The best way to get tooth decay under control is to visit your dentist.

So now you have the answer to the question of what are the signs of tooth decay let’s take a look at ways of preventing it from happening. 

There are several ways to help prevent your teeth from decaying. These include:

• Eating a healthy well-balanced diet and lowering your sugar consumption
• Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day to maintain good oral hygiene that will help eliminate harmful bacteria 
• Chewing sugar-free gum after meals to increase the flow of saliva 
• Drinking lots of tap water to help improve saliva flow
• Asking your dentist about fissure sealants to seal any deep grooves in the biting surfaces of your teeth

Early tooth decay can be reversed by saliva and eating a healthier diet can also make a significant difference. Your hygienist can also give you some tips to help prevent tooth decay.

In the case of more advanced tooth decay that may have caused a cavity, our dentist will remove the damaged material and place a tooth-coloured filling so that it blends in seamlessly with your smile. 

If you are worried that you may have tooth decay or you haven’t visited the dentist in a while, why not schedule a dental check-up with the experienced well-trained team at Riverlands Dental. It’s never too late to start caring for your teeth and your smile will thank you for it. 

Call us on (02) 4501 7930 today.