Telltale Signs that Your Tooth has a Cavity

the doctor and our team at Sunshine Dental frequently get questions about cavity causes and prevention. You brush twice a day and floss regularly. You rinse with mouthwash, just like the dentist recommended. In fact, you can’t remember the last time you had a cavity, but you think it was when you were a little kid. In all seriousness, you thought only kids got cavities.

The Signs and Symptoms of a Cavity

It’s believed that roughly 90% of North Americans will get at least one cavity in their lifetime. Those other ten percent, it seems, can eat as much pie, cake, and sugary cereals and sweets as they want. That’s not really true; just a stab at dental humor, and it was as bad as the pain your cavity is probably giving you.

When a cavity is in its initial stages, you will often be symptom-free and experience no discomfort at all. It’s not until the tooth decay has reached a certain level that you will begin to notice the signs and symptoms. While a toothache and sensitivity to hot and cold foods and liquids are surefire signs that you have a cavity, there are lesser-known symptoms as well. If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, you may want to consider making an appointment with our office as soon as possible:

  • Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
  • When you bite down, there is a sticky, tarry feeling
  • Puss or discharge around a tooth
  • A visible discoloring, usually black or brown
  • Small pits or holes in the tooth

Routine dental care is important. While good oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular cleanings will deter the formation of cavities, they do not constitute a foolproof practice. A cavity can occur at any time, no matter what your age. Bacteria causes tooth decay, and no amount of brushing, flossing, and rinsing will eradicate all the bacteria from your mouth. If you think you may have a cavity, please contact our office immediately.

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Hours of Operation

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

  • "I have always had a fear of dentist. I went in for an abscess, and was terrified. Dr. Chau took great care of me an reassured me several times everything would be ok! He was fast and painless, and I have now found a permanent dentist I’m not afraid of!"
    Chakoya J.
  • "Thanks to the staff at Sunshine for fantastic service every time. One of the most important things is that I have never felt I'm being targeted for an up sell on treatment or a service I don't actually need. This is not the case with most other dentists I have visited. Thanks!"
    Lennie A.
  • "I've been a patient at Sunshine dental for 10 years now. Dr. Chau and his staff have always been very professional and give the best care. Before finding Sunshine dental I tried several dentists and by far Dr. Chau's skill set has proven to be superior to all the other dentists that I was a patient of. This office is awesome."
    Lennier R.