Many people wait until they have pain before going to visit the dentist. Many times this can be a costly and painful mistake. What could have been fixed and detected during a routine cleaning and examination visit may spiral into a bigger dental procedure.
Tooth decay can be caused by poor or improper teeth brushing and flossing, a diet heavy in starches, carbohydrates, and sugars, or genetic factors or predispositions Most cavities and tooth decay can be detected during a regular dental checkup. There are several symptoms of tooth decay that you should be aware of:
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- Chewing or eating pain: Sharp pains while chewing or eating, or avoiding the pain by chewing and swallowing on the opposite side of the mouth.
- Sensitivity to sweets: This is one of the more common tooth decay symptoms due to the consumption of sweet or acidic foods. Soft drinks, candy bars, cookies, coffee creamers, ice cream; all can trigger an electric or tingling feeling in your tooth.
- Pulp damage: Pulp is the innermost layer and it has blood vessels and nerves. These nerves provide sensations to your teeth. If the pulp is damaged, it can become swollen and irritated, causing intense and sharp pain.
- Bite is not aligned: If you have a cavity or tooth decay, your bite may not be aligned correctly and it can be felt when chewing or just closing your mouth.
- Discolored teeth: Tooth decay can make the teeth look dark or discolored. It may be brown or black and visibly noticeable. Discoloration may be a serious symptom as it can mean that the decay has progressed.
- Food or floss gets caught in the teeth: Cavities that form between teeth can be characterized by rough or jagged edges in the enamel. Food can get caught in them so they need to be brushed and flossed regularly. With tooth decay, the floss can get caught on the jagged edge or broken part of the tooth. Additionally, food can lodge in the tooth, further making the cavity progress more pronounced.
- Dentinal decay: Dentin is the layer beneath the enamel. It is soft and easier to damage. Once tooth decay gets to this layer, the disease will progress much faster. Pain and discomfort can be felt like communication with the pulp or nerve can be achieved.
- Fever/Severe pain/Swollen lymph nodes and jaw: If tooth decay is not treated, it will cause fever, severe mouth pain, swollen lymph nodes. It can spread to the jaw, neck, and head and cause severe infections.
Remember, don’t wait until your teeth hurt before going to visit the dentist. Your dentist can apply fluoride to strengthen the tooth enamel and help combat decay in its early stages. If there are cavities, your dentist will clean the infected areas and fill them before the teeth become symptomatic and painful. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call your dentist for an immediate appointment. Untreated tooth decay may lead to even more serious health issues. Please don’t delay treatment!
All Smiles Bethesda has experienced dentists and dental hygienists who can take care of your tooth decay issues. If you would like to schedule an appointment for you or your family, please call us at 301-984-9646 email us at info@allsmilesbethesda.com or lorraine@allsmilesbethesda.com.
We serve the Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, and the Washington, DC area.