How do I know if my cavity is severe?

When cavities and decay become severe, you may have: Pain that interferes with daily living. Weight loss or nutrition problems from painful or difficult eating or chewing. Tooth loss, which may affect your appearance, as well as your confidence and self-esteem.

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What does a really bad cavity feel like?

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. Feel sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks. Develop a bad taste in your mouth, or bad breath.

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How do you know what stage your cavity is?

Here are the five stages of a cavity.
  1. Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots.
  2. Stage 2: Enamel Decay.
  3. Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin.
  4. Stage 4: Ouch! The Decay Hits the Pulp.
  5. Stage 5: Abscess Distress.

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When does a cavity become an emergency?

If the pain is so severe that you can't wait for a regularly scheduled appointment, it may be a dental emergency. Likewise, if you notice swelling in your face or pus around the tooth, immediate dental treatment is needed. In some cases, decay can lead to a broken tooth that's sharp.

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How severe can cavities get?

Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Untreated cavities can lead to abscess (a severe infection) under the gums which can spread to other parts of the body and have serious, and in rare cases fatal, results.

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How to Spot the Early Signs of Tooth Decay - Colgate®

34 related questions found

Is 4 cavities a lot?

In general, adults develop an average of three cavities during their lifetimes. This means that the average adult has three or four fillings in their mouth. Some patients end up with ten or more fillings depending on how well they care for their teeth.

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When is it too late to reverse a cavity?

In most cases, by the time you notice the symptoms of tooth decay, it will be too late to reverse the damage with natural methods. You will need to consult your dentist to prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of the tooth.

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How bad does a cavity have to be to get pulled?

You may need to have a tooth extracted if: Periodontal disease has badly infected the tooth. The tooth is badly damaged and cannot be restored by a filling or a crown. You are suffering from pain even after a filling, crown, or treatment for a root canal.

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What does a serious cavity look like?

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.

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How long can a cavity go untreated?

How Long Can You Leave Tooth Decay Untreated? Many people often leave tooth decay untreated until pain sets in. Unfortunately, as with everything else, the longer you leave tooth decay untreated, the worse it gets. On average, it takes about 3 to 6 months for cavities or tooth decay to start affecting your nerves.

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Can I wait 6 months to fill a cavity?

Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it's going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth. That's not good.

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How do you know if a cavity is too far gone?

If you see pus near a tooth or teeth, your cavity has gone too far. It's become an abscess that needs to be handled right away. Abscesses are very painful and cause fevers and swollen glands. Pus will routinely collect and drain from the abscess, causing great pain.

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How do you know if a cavity has reached the nerve?

If you have a cavity that has reached the nerve tissue, you may experience some or all of the following symptoms:
  1. Toothache when pressure (such as chewing) is applied to the tooth.
  2. Tooth sensitivity to heat or cold.
  3. Discoloration of the tooth.
  4. Swelling or tenderness of the gums.

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How do I know if a cavity is spreading?

As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as:
  • Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause.
  • Tooth sensitivity.
  • Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold.
  • Visible holes or pits in your teeth.

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What are the 5 stages of tooth decay?

Understanding the Five Stages of Tooth Decay
  • Stage One: White Spots. ...
  • Stage Two: Enamel Decay. ...
  • Stage Three: Dentin Decay. ...
  • Stage Four: Involvement of The Pulp. ...
  • Stage Five: Abscess Formation.

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What tooth hurts the most to get pulled?

What is the most difficult tooth to extract? Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that have failed to erupt properly. They are generally considered to be the most difficult teeth to extract.

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What happens if you let a cavity go too long?

Cavities don't go away on their own, and if you don't treat them in time, they can spread to the entire surface of the tooth, and then to other teeth. Cavities tend to widen and deepen, making your teeth brittle and more prone to cracking or breaking.

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Can brushing slow down a cavity?

Brushing is essential to preventing your cavity from worsening. Brushing will also help prevent the formation of even more cavities. Zero in on the cavity as you brush to eliminate any remaining food particles from your snack or meal. This thorough brushing can help hinder the cavity's progression.

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What happens if you leave a tooth cavity too long?

The hole can eventually reach the layer of dentin beneath your enamel, causing severe pain and sensitivity. The cavity can also extend to the root of your tooth, causing an infection. If the infection is left untreated, it can lead to abscesses and bone loss, and in rare cases, it may become life-threatening.

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What happens if you let a cavity go for a year?

If a cavity goes untreated for a year, the tooth may die. The tooth will probably feel painful, sore, and may feel brittle or loose. You may also notice brown, dark yellow, or black discoloration around the tooth. You may also notice redness and swelling around the gums.

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How big is too big for a cavity?

Another standard is the width of the filling. Some say that a filling shouldn't be any wider than ⅓ of the distance between the cusps (high points) of a tooth. Others allow for up to 50% of this distance. These figures were calculated for metal amalgam fillings, which are the worst for damaging teeth.

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Why do I still get cavities if I brush my teeth 3 times a day?

Though good oral hygiene that includes brushing and flossing helps in preventing cavities, you may still get cavities. The reasons can be many, like the spaces between teeth that easily trap food, consuming too much cavity-causing foods and beverages, avoiding regular professional-level cleanings and checkups, etc.

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