How do you tell if a toothache is a cavity?
Table of Contents
How do you tell if a toothache is a cavity?
Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold. Visible holes or pits in your teeth. Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth. Pain when you bite down.
Can you have toothache but no cavity?
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the inner layer of your tooth, known as dentin, becomes exposed. This type of toothache occurs even when there’s no cavity to find. Dentin usually becomes exposed when there’s a wearing away of enamel or gum recession.
Does an aching tooth always mean a cavity?
POTENTIAL CAUSES OF TOOTHACHES: IT’S NOT ALWAYS A CAVITY If you experience pain when you eat or drink hot or cold food and beverages, it could signal a cavity. It could also be a sign that you have sensitive teeth, either from thinning tooth enamel or receding gums. While waiting for a dentist appointment with Dr.
What causes tooth pain besides cavities?
1. Gum Disease – When the gums are red, swollen and irritated they can cause pain in the teeth. 2. Abscessed Tooth – Advanced tooth decay results in more than just a cavity and can lead to infections within the root, called an abscessed tooth, which can be very uncomfortable and painful.
Can cavities go away on their own?
Cavities don’t go away on their own. Cavities slowly expand to the point where they can move into the pulp and pulp chamber of your tooth, causing you pain – which could eventually lead to needing a root canal. Therefore, try to get to the dentist as soon as you notice a cavity.
What does a cavity look like when it first starts?
What Does a Cavity Look Like? While it is usually difficult to see a cavity in its beginning stages, some cavities start with a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel of your tooth. More serious cases can have a discolored brown or black color. However, most often there are no distinguishable red alerts.
What can be mistaken for toothache?
A painful nerve condition called trigeminal neuralgia is often confused with a bad toothache. The trigeminal nerve—actually a pair of primarily sensory nerves—leaves the brain at the base of the skull and travels through soft tissue to reach each side of the face.
What does a dull toothache mean?
A dull ache can mean something fairly simple, like having a piece of food stuck in your tooth, or it can mean you have tooth decay present. If the dull ache is located in the back of your mouth, it may be due to your wisdom teeth coming in, or your pain may be a symptom of nighttime bruxism.
Does toothache mean root canal?
Tooth pain is often a sign of serious issues with your teeth; however, a toothache does not always mean you need a root canal.
How do you check for cavities?
Your dentist can usually detect tooth decay by:
- Asking about tooth pain and sensitivity.
- Examining your mouth and teeth.
- Probing your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas.
- Looking at dental X-rays, which can show the extent of cavities and decay.
When does a cavity start hurting?
Typically, you will have pain when you have a cavity that’s been untreated. If you get a toothache, it’s time to see the dentist. Don’t put it off. In the early stages of cavities, you might feel pain when you bite down on something you eat like a piece of candy.
Can a toothache be nothing?
While many people believe that a minor toothache is normal from time to time, the truth is that it’s anything but. Teeth don’t just hurt for no reason. If any of the types of toothaches described above sound familiar to you, you’re better off contacting your emergency dentist as soon as possible.
When should you worry about tooth pain?
Contact your dentist immediately if you’re experiencing: Severe pain from your toothache. A toothache that lasts 24-48 hours. Earache, fever, or another form of mouth pain on top of your toothache.
What can mimic a toothache?
One of the main non-dental reasons for tooth or facial pain is a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a problem with the pair of joints that hinge the lower jaw to the upper jaw and skull. Pain that begins in or around the temporomandibular joints can be experienced elsewhere, sometimes mimicking a toothache.
Can you feel when you have a cavity?
What Does a Cavity Feel Like? Your tooth enamel doesn’t have any nerve endings, so if the decay is just on the surface you might not feel anything. If the damage gets down through the enamel, deeper into the inner layer or dentin, you’re more likely to: Feel a toothache or feel pain when eating, drinking or biting down.
Can I tell if I have a cavity at home?
A telltale sign that you are dealing with a cavity is if you notice any holes on the surface of your teeth. Stand in front of the mirror in your bathroom and use a small handheld mirror to thoroughly examine your mouth.
