Our dental health is extremely important, but those who are not terrified of visiting the dentist are some of the few lucky ones. We try and postpone this appointment for too long, and just hope that the pain we are feeling will go away on its own. More often than not, we don’t know what the problem is, and even though we sense that we are experiencing some issues with our teeth, we cannot pinpoint the problem. If you are suspecting that you have a cavity, you’ve come to the right place. We are going to tell you if you can check yourself for a tooth cavity and what are the most common signs that this might be the problem you are facing.
Are you experiencing any pains?
It is said that most people experience discomfort or pain in their mouths. Most often, the discomfort that we feel is related to some small injury that we have in it, or even cold sores. If you have been experiencing pain on only one side of your mouth, and if you have noticed that you cannot properly chew on your food because of that, this may be the sign that you are dealing with dental caries.
When there is an issue like this, the pain will gradually get worse, and no matter how much you ignore it, it will not go away. Keep in mind that with time, if you choose to ignore this sign, you will start experiencing even greater pain, and your nerve may get inflamed as well. This is an extremely painful condition, so it is better to prevent it than deal with it.
Are there any holes in the tooth?
When inspecting your teeth, you should check to see if there are any holes in them. Keep in mind that the hole does not have to be too big, and it can be just a small one, but you will be able to notice it.
If you have noticed that food is getting stuck in places where it did not get stuck before, and if you have to use a toothpick after every meal, all the time, this may be a sign that you are dealing with a cavity. Once again, note that the problem will only get bigger with time, and the hole will continue getting bigger until your tooth breaks.
Are you experiencing bad breath?
Bad breath can be a sign of many things, starting from problems in our mouth, up to issues with our general health. Nevertheless, the most common reason why we cannot get rid of the unpleasant smell, no matter how often we brush our teeth, is dental caries.
Since there is a process happening that is making our teeth pretty much rot from the inside out, there is going to be a lot of bacteria gathered, which will lead to an unpleasant smell. Instead of trying out new products and wondering what else you can do, you should just make a quick appointment and see if the issue starts in your mouth, or if there are any other check-ups that you should do.
Do you have issues when eating certain foods?
The best way to notice if you are dealing with dental caries is to check if you are sensitive when eating certain foods. When our teeth have issues, or if our gums are inflated, we are going to have problems when we drink things that are too cold or too hot. If you cannot handle drinking beverages with ice, or if you are too sensitive when eating ice cream, chances are, you have a cavity.
On the same note, if you have problems chewing on one side or the other, or if you are experiencing any issues when eating chocolate or other sugary things, this may be a sign that you have caries.
Keep in mind that the dental professionals can help you understand what the problem is without guessing if it is a cavity or not and as you can see on websites such as www.jacksonavedental.com, the whole process is much easier and faster than you imagine it to be.
Are your teeth in good condition?
Sometimes caries may not be painful and in those times, we will just completely ignore it and we will postpone the dentist visit for as long as we possibly can. In those times, the cavity will spread and it will make the tooth hallow.
You should check your teeth to see if there is any chipping or if any of them are broken. This is pretty difficult to go unnoticed, but sometimes it is possible. So, you should examine your mouth, and see if there are any parts of your teeth that are missing, and if some of them are sharper than they should be. If you can notice chipping, holes, or broken teeth, contact your dentist right away.
Can you notice any dark spots?
When the cavity is in the earliest stages, there are not going to be any signs on the top of your teeth, however, as it spreads, it is going to become visible.
If you can notice any dark spots on your teeth, and if they hurt when you tap on them, chances are, you are dealing with dental caries. The spots can vary from extremely small ones, and they can completely overtake the whole tooth. Make sure you talk to your dentist before the problem becomes too big.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are many things that you can do to notice if you have a tooth cavity or not. Keep in mind that all of these things can be also a sign of something else, so don’t decide on your own that there is this or that wrong with your teeth or gums. The best thing you can do for yourself is to try and get over your fear of dentists and make an appointment.
Know that the sooner you do this, the easier the procedure will be. When you catch the cavities in the early stages, the issue can be resolved in just a couple of minutes. On the other hand, if you wait for a long time, chances are, your tooth will break, and you will need to completely take it out and replace it, plus, it may lead to nerve damage.
All of the other procedures are painful and they can take a long time to be resolved. If you don’t want to spend too much money on this, and if you don’t want to live with pain and discomfort, it is better to avoid diagnosing yourself and just go to the professionals that are going to help you deal with this in no time.
