Do you think you have cavities? Not sure whether to tell someone if it's a false alarm? There are some signs that can help you know if you have this condition, but only a dentist can confirm it for sure. If you want to prevent further damage to the teeth and oral cavity, it is important to treat tooth decay as soon as possible; this means first of all understanding if it is actually present.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Define a Caries
Step 1. Caries is a hole in the tooth
It may or may not be visible and is caused by the deterioration of the dental enamel; if left untreated, it can become very painful, as well as damage your teeth, bones, gums and make you feel very bad. If it starts to get infected, you need to go to the dentist to avoid possible abscesses and the spread of infection.
Step 2. Remember that tooth decay is permanent damage
While there are ways to treat it, there are no techniques to regenerate the tooth material. The doctor can drill into the damaged areas and fill the hole with safe material, but you will not be able to recover the natural substance that you have lost.
Step 3. Manage the underlying causes
Poor oral hygiene, poor nutrition, and bad habits, such as smoking, all contribute to tooth decay; if you want to avoid this problem, you need to limit or eliminate these aspects altogether, in order to promote oral health in general and reduce the likelihood of it occurring.
Part 2 of 3: Identify the Warning Signs
Step 1. Caries may not even have obvious symptoms
For this reason, the dentist may be the first person to notice; Since tooth decay can cause other damage, it's essential to have regular dental visits to prevent some from forming without you being aware of it.
Go to the dentist every six months so that he can check for any possible changes in the mouth. Some patients may have defects in the mineralization of the enamel, which leads to the formation of tooth decay more quickly
Step 2. Pay attention to the pain
It could indicate the presence of a cavity. Toothache, tooth sensitivity, moderate or sharp pain when you eat or drink something sweet, hot or cold, pain when you chew - these are all signs of possible tooth decay. If you experience these symptoms constantly, you need to see a dentist.
Step 3. Check your teeth
Visible holes or dots, brown, black or white spots on the surface can all be indications of a cavity; however, since each mouth is different, it can be difficult to know for sure. Your dentist or other oral doctor can diagnose the problem and quantify the severity of the situation. If you think you are seeing tooth decay, you need to seek medical attention.
Part 3 of 3: Contact the Dentist
Step 1. Find a dentist
Seek advice from people you trust or do an online search to find a good doctor. Chances are you will be comfortable with professionals recommended by friends and family; since you are not qualified to determine if you actually have caries, you must go to a dentist for confirmation. Make sure you get regular checkups to avoid further damage to your teeth.
Step 2. Tell your doctor about the problems you are having
This way, he can better focus on specific points; if the cause of your fear or discomfort is not tooth decay, your dentist can still help you. Try to be as specific as possible and carefully explain what kind of pain you feel and in which area; let him know if you experience sharp pain while examining your mouth.
Step 3. Undergo a dental survey
Thanks to this examination, the doctor can understand if you have cavities; taps and pokes several points to assess the resistance and possible damage in each area of the oral cavity. Make sure he does a thorough examination of every tooth that is causing you problems; in doing so, caries and other dental pathologies are brought to light.
Step 4. Take an x-ray
When caries are localized between one tooth and another, they are not always easily diagnosed; in these cases, the dentist cannot probe with an instrument, because he is unable to insert it into the interdental space, thus making an x-ray necessary. If you believe you have cavities, ask your dentist to do an X-ray to assess the severity of the damage.
Advice
- If in doubt, consult your dentist.
- Do not delay your visit to the dentist, the pain does not go away until you do something to treat it.
- Brush your teeth regularly to prevent cavities.
- Don't eat and drink too many sugary foods or drinks.
- If tooth decay is causing you pain, try not to think about it until you can go to the dentist, such as reading a book or listening to music.
