Cavities are amongst the more common health and oral care complaints. If left untreated, decay will become more severe. Below we discuss some of the more general signs to look out for.
Halitosis (bad breath)
We all know by now that we get bad breath from certain foods such as garlic or onions, this is normal. The problem begins when our breaths start to smell consistently, this is usually the first sign of chronic bad breath. One of the main culprits for this is an excessive amount of plaque build-up. No amount of mints will help cure this. It is best to visit your dentist as soon as you can to have a look at your teeth.
White spots visible on your teeth
If your teeth are translucent, it means your teeth are healthy. Decay takes all the minerals out of your teeth which cause white spots to form on your teeth.
Sensitivity in teeth
Cavities are the main cause of sudden sensitivity in your teeth when eating cold foods or drinking hot drinks. There are toothpastes that help for sensitive teeth, but if they do not help, please consult your dentist.
Teeth that have become darker
If your teeth start to appear darker in in colour, this could be an indication of tooth decay. Once the decay reaches the pulp in the teeth, it starts to produce pigments that make your teeth darker.
Food particles that get stuck in between your teeth
If you cringe in pain when food particles get stuck between your teeth, you probably have dental caries. This is when the food particles actually get stuck in or on a cavity, causing allot of pain and discomfort.
If you suffer from any of the above mentioned signs, please consult your dentist as soon as you can. If a cavity is left untreated you could ultimately loos your tooth/teeth.