Also known as tooth decay, cavities are permanently damaged areas on the teeth that develop into small holes or openings. Cavities are often the result of bacteria in the mouth, poor oral hygiene, and drinking sugary beverages.
Although cavities are particularly common in children, teens, and seniors, anyone can develop them, including babies. Left untreated, cavities can cause severe toothache, infection, and even tooth loss. The best way to reduce your risk of cavities is to brush and floss your teeth daily and regularly visit the dentist.
At the beginning of a cavity’s life, you may not experience any symptoms. However, as the decay increases, you are likely to face symptoms like a toothache, tooth sensitivity, mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking a sweet, hot, or cold beverage, visible holes in your teeth, and pain every time you bite down.
Even if you aren’t facing any pain or symptoms, you may still have a cavity that’s in its early stages. For this reason, it’s important to visit the dentist at least every six months or so. By doing so, you can allow a dentist to perform a thorough investigation of your mouth and inform you whether you have any cavities.
Your dentist may detect cavities in a few different ways. They may ask questions about tooth pain and sensitivity. Additionally, they may probe your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas and/or look at dental x-rays, which can show the severity of the cavities. If you do have a cavity, your dentist will be able to recommend a viable treatment option.
Contact Costa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
To make sure you are cavity free or treat a cavity if you happen to have one, we encourage you to contact our Ashburn, VA office today. Feel free to call us at 703-757-0833 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!