Cavities are terrible, but they can be prevented.
If caught early, you can greatly reduce the pain and suffering that comes with having a cavity. Usually, they can be seen early in the form of discolouration, bad breath, sensitivity, or simply pain.
It’s important to note that cavities are extremely common. In fact, according to a government study, approximately 92% of adults aged 20 to 64 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.
That’s pretty much everyone. You’d have to be a dental legend not to have had experienced some form of the cavity. But that doesn’t mean you can’t practice simple ways to ensure you don’t get a cavity in the future.
Along with the great tips mentioned in this article, it really goes without saying that you should be regularly visiting your dentist at least once a year. By doing this, you will most certainly prevent the horror of tooth decay before it becomes irreversible.
And with that said, here are some tips to avoid developing cavities!
Mother of toothaches
A tell-tale sign you’re experiencing tooth decay is when there’s persistent pain. That is to say, pain that’s not caused by having a cold drink or hot soup, rather, pain that’s concentrated and non-stopping.
Essentially, without proper treatment, tooth decay can wear down to the nerves in your teeth causing persistent pain. When the nerve is exposed, the pain will gradually get worse.
If you’re experiencing this, you should probably schedule an appointment with your dentist right away so that they can fix the problem early before it gets worse.
These colours don’t seem right…
Aside from pain, discoloration is probably the most obvious sign that you have cavities and tooth decay. This happens when the enamel in your teeth is eroded by bacteria and acid.
Usually, you’ll see tooth decay in the form of white or off-white spots on your teeth. If detected early, it’s possible to reverse the effects and fix the problem on your own.
Cavities can also appear as light or dark brown spots that usually build up on the front teeth. If they’re noticeably bad, consider going to a dentist for professional help.
Rancid Breath
If people are constantly scrunching their faces after every word you say, it’s probably got to do with your teeth.
While there are many causes of bad breath – like acidic foods, improper brushing, and cleaning methods – the one you should be most concerned about is cavities.
No matter how much you brush and floss, a cavity can erode your teeth to such a degree that it can turn your tooth into a hotbed for bacteria to congregate and multiply.
Once this happens, your breath will become as sour as horrific as ever.
If you’re a regular brusher and flosser and your breath still smells strange, maybe it’s time you took a visit to the dentist.
Too sensitive
While tooth sensitivity is quite common, a sharp and sudden feeling of sensitivity is something to worry about.
If you find yourself in pain after a hot cup of tea or if you start feeling strange tingly sensations after eating sugary sweets, you may want to check if there’s a cavity developing in your mouth.
