As we age, we often interpret our body’s aches and pains as unavoidable consequences of getting older — however, if you detect cavity symptoms, there is still plenty you can do for your health.

According to the National Institutes of Health, cavities are the second-most prevalent health problem in the United States with over 3 million cases each year, being beaten out only by the common cold. They are often painful, worsen over time, and also quite preventable and treatable if you catch these cavity symptoms early in their development.

We may lose some things over time, but your oral health is not something you need to sacrifice.

How Cavities Form

Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop over time into tiny openings or holes. As your tooth enamel softens due to decay from the acids that are created when plaque bacteria break down sugars in your mouth, your tooth is left susceptible to further damage, which is when cavities form.

If left untreated, these plaque acids can continue to eat away at the next layer of the tooth, the dentin, and cause a root cavity that is both more painful and more complicated to fix.

As the Mayo Clinic observes, cavities may be caused by a number of factors, but the development of tooth decay follows the same process regardless of the cause. First, the consumption of excess sugars and starches, which, if not cleaned from the teeth, permit bacteria to feed on them to create dental plaque. This plaque then hardens on the teeth and begins to remove minerals from the tooth’s enamel, eating away into little holes, which is the first stage of cavities. Once the enamel is worn away, the bacteria and acid can continue to the dentin, which is connected to the nerve of the tooth, and even the inner tooth material, or the pulp, that contains nerves and blood vessels.

As the cavity develops, its damage multiplies, causing greater pain and longer-term damage with each day it goes untreated, making it especially important to catch cavity symptoms as early as possible.

Cavity Symptoms

Cavity Symptom #1: A Persistent Toothache

As a general rule, pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is going right; however, a lot of times we push through and ignore them. In the case of your teeth, to leave these persistent pains unaddressed is to ignore the most obvious cavity symptom, which will only lead to more problems — and greater pain.

“Pain is often a [cavity symptom], and pain can be in the gums below the tooth or the tooth itself,” explains Dr. Eric Klein. “Sometimes you have a sharp, acute pain or it may be a dull, throbbing pain, and both are signs of a cavity.”

Cavity Symptom #2: Pain While Chewing

To continue the emphasis on responding to pain, even if a toothache only occurs while chewing and doesn’t persist between meals, that is still a major cavity symptom to acknowledge and a sign that your teeth are in trouble.

Usually felt in a sharp, sudden jolt, pain while chewing is usually an indication that the tooth has a crack in it or because the tooth has a cavity, according to Dr. Klein, and may signal that the nerve in the tooth is even infected.

Cavity Symptoms #3: Discoloration

Thankfully, you don’t have to wait for your teeth to start hurting to catch a cavity symptom early. While cavities eventually appear as small holes in the enamel, some may begin by resembling stains on the surface of your tooth. Natural stains may blemish your smile from time to time, but black, brown, or white spots are usually the early signs of tooth decay.

If these stains feel soft or sticky to the touch, they are a likely cavity symptom and may soon cause the rest of the tooth to darken and eventually chip the enamel, as Colgate’s health professionals explain.

Cavity Symptoms #4: Holes In Teeth

Sometimes the obvious signs are the most overlooked, as is the case with cavity symptoms. As cavities are holes that develop in the enamel from mouth bacteria’s breakdown of plaque into acid, the most obvious cavity symptom to spot would be visible in your teeth.

Nonetheless, few people take the time to inspect their teeth, even while brushing or flossing, and therefore may not see the hole developing in the infected tooth. Always check your teeth for evident holes to catch the cavity symptom as soon as possible.

Cavity Symptom #5: Swelling Around The Tooth

As the Mayo Clinic notes, swelling may occur in the gums around the infected tooth as a cavity develops, especially if it has dug deep into the dentin or the pulp. Often, this swelling is barely perceptible to the eye and hardly painful to the touch, but a bit of discomfort may reveal that the gums are indeed swollen due to a cavity.

“If you have a really deep cavity, it makes the nerve sick or die, and that causes an infection in a nerve that causes swelling,” says Dr. Klein. “Some people feel swelling and it doesn’t even hurt, but that’s caused from the infection.”

Cavity Symptom #6: Sensitivity To Temperature

According to the American Dental Association, one in four adults has an untreated cavity, and virtually every adult will experience tooth decay at some point in their lives. One of the most common cavity symptoms to watch is sensitivity to temperatures, such as hot foods or cold drinks, that may trigger sudden pain or discomfort in the affected tooth.

“Every tooth has a nerve inside of it, and it also has a blood supply to help the tooth grow and function,” says Dr. Klein. “When a cavity gets larger and closer to that nerve, it can sense the change in temperature easier.”

Cavity Symptom #7: Bad Breath

Though a myriad of factors may cause bad breath, it may be more than a sign you’ve indulged in too much garlic during dinner — bad breath is one of the often overlooked cavity symptoms. As cavities are fundamentally small holes in the tooth, food particles and bacteria may easily sneak their way in there and be hard to evict with simple brushing techniques alone.

“A cavity is caused by acid and sugar breaking a hole in the enamel, and then bacteria can get in that hole,” says Dr. Klein. “Bacteria can cause odor and a bad taste in the mouth.”

Cavity Treatment

There is a range of treatments the professionals at Chicago Beautiful Smiles can provide to address your cavity symptoms, depending on the severity of the problem.

Sometimes, periodic fluoride treatments may be necessary to battle ongoing cavity symptoms, as you may not be receiving enough fluoride through sources such as fluoridated drinking water. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic recognizes antibacterial treatments as especially helpful for those whose medical history may make their teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.

If you’re experiencing more than one of these cavity symptoms, the best treatment will likely be a filling, which is when the decayed portion of the tooth is drilled away and replace with a strong filling of composite resins. Crowns and fillings may be required for more advanced cavities, but overall, fillings stop cavities from growing any larger.

At Beautiful Smiles Dental Center in Gurnee, IL, your smile is our priority, which often begins with addressing that first cavity symptom as soon as you notice it.

Could Some Chewing Gums Actually Prevent Cavities?

For years it has long been believed and drilled (no pun intended) into our heads that gum chewing was bad for our teeth. Gum had been blamed for causing cavities, tooth decay and a myriad of other dental issues. Gum chewing can be, in fact, quite detrimental to dental care. Recent studies, however, have shed new light unto the effects of gum chewing. While it is true that gum usage can cause dental issues, not all types of gum are harmful. In fact, studies have shown that some types of gum can actually work to prevent cavities and tooth decay. What type of gum is that? Sugar-free.

It is no secret that gum with added sugar can be one of the worse things for your teeth. The sugar contained in the gum dramatically increases your chances of developing cavities. This is not the case of sugar-free gum however, which actually helps in preventing tooth decay and cavities. If you are someone who balks at the idea of sugar-free gum, there is good news. Xylitol is a plant-based sweetener added to sugar-free gum that has not only makes the gum taste better, but it has many added benefits as well.

Chew Away Tooth Decay

Sugar-free gum is sweetened with xylitol, and will effectively prevent the growth of Streptococcus mutant, a bacterium responsible for causing cavities. Xylitol prevents the bacteria from clinging to the tooth, thus preventing the development of cavities. Chewing frequently reduces the bacteria present in the mouth, thus resulting in fewer harmful bacteria resulting in damaging the tooth surface. It is also responsible for repairing teeth through a process called remineralization. When this occurs, specific cells in the center of the tooth produce dentin, the part of tooth beneath the enamel. The enamel can then remineralize from the outer layer. Remineralization is a vital part of maintaining proper dental hygiene.

Additionally, chewing sugarless helps produce saliva, which helps in washing away and cleaning out food particles and bacteria. The saliva which occurs due to gum chewing will help in neutralizing the acids and act as a barrier against cavities and tooth decay. Saliva also keeps plaque, a known cause of tooth decay, from sticking to the teeth. Although the inclination may be to brush your teeth after a meal, doing so is not recommended, as acids in food will break down the protective enamel. Instead, experts recommend chewing gum for about after each meal.

Chewing sugarless gum is also effective in removing food particles embedded in teeth, which can cause plaque buildup. Keeping plaque away is a sure-fire way to keep your teeth from protected against tooth decay. Chewing gum can also help in reducing tooth sensitivity, a common issue affecting many Americans. Studies have shown that those who chew sugarless gum post teeth whitening procedures had significantly less tooth sensitivity than those had not.

Chewing sugarless gums also useful in other ways as well. For example, it aids in digestion, which can help keep acid reflux under control. Studies have also shown that chewing sugarless gum actually can save you a great deal of money. A healthy mouth keeps the dentist at bay, which is good news for your checkbook. Additionally, chewing sugarless gum can help boost memory function. Many studies, in fact, have noted that chewing sugar free gum with xylitol is a just as effective as using fluoride- toothpaste and mouthwash. Now that something to smile about!

Not All Gums Are Created Equal

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the only approved gums that can help prevent tooth decay are those which are sugar-free. You will also want to be sure they have the ADA approved seal on the packaging. Not all sugar-free gums approved by the ADA. For example, there is gum which is also sugar-free, but contains a different sugar substitute, known as sorbitol. Sorbitol does not have the same protective effect that xylitol has. What is a good way to see if your sugar-free gum has xylitol? By reading the label, of course. If listed as a first ingredient, then chew away! Additionally, to reap the benefits of this sweetener, most experts recommended chewing a minimum two or three pieces after each meal.

It should also be noted that in no way should gum chewing be a used a replacement for tooth brushing, which is a necessity for excellent hygiene. Chewing gum after meals or in tandem with brushing and flossing is what many experts recommend. The best time to chew gum? Studies from the ADA concluded twenty minutes after every meal is sufficient.

Before You Grab That Gum

There are a few things to consider before you begin running to the nearest drugstore and stocking up on your favorite sugar-free gum. For example, the constant chewing motion can cause strain and tiredness in your jaw muscles. No different than other muscles, when they are overused it can cause soreness. Additionally, chewing gum for an extended length of time has been known to cause headaches as well as neck pain. There is no concrete evidence that gum chewing is a culprit of TMJ disorders, however, it is understood that it will not ease the discomfort of TMJ symptoms.

Although the stickiness of sugar-free gum can prove to be useful, such as its ability to remove food particles and bacteria present in teeth, it also has its disadvantages. If you have dental hardware such as crowns or fillings, chewing gum may loosen them and cause them to even fall out. Although highly unlikely, it is still important to take into consideration.

Additionally, recommendations vary on how old one should be when choosing sugar-free gum. The consensus is that children should not chew gum until they have learned not to swallow it. There are positives and negatives to children chewing gum as well. On the one hand, we have seen how effective gum chewing can be in helpful in maintaining healthy hygiene. Preventive measures are usually the most effective, so there is a strong argument for starting patients young.

The earlier children practice proper tooth care, the fewer problems in the future there will be. However, it is important that the sugarless gum has the ADA seal, as chewing gum with added sugar is especially detrimental to children’s teeth. Chewing gum with xylitol is most effective when it is chewed right before a child’s adult teeth come in, which is roughly between the ages of 5 and 6.

Knowing how effective chewing sugarless gum can be cause for celebration. However, nothing can take the place of consistent brushing and flossing.

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Back Off the Grind: Stop Nocturnal Bruxism

We know only too well how bad teeth grinding can be and if you currently suffer from this nightmare of a problem, we sympathize with you. However, the great news is that just by clicking and reading this article you are already closer to discovering some of the best ways to stop the discomfort and pain caused by grinding your teeth.

Teeth grinding, or nocturnal bruxism as it is also known, is a condition where you unintentionally and in a lot of cases, unconsciously grind your teeth together. It affects well in excess of a million adults and children across the world and if you suffer from this condition, you will understand just how badly it can play havoc with your life and health.

In the following article, you will get to know some really powerful and helpful tips and advice to stop you grinding your teeth. Before we bite into those though, it is best to help you understand better why you actually grind your teeth.

What Causes Teeth Grinding – Particularly At Night?

There are two main types of teeth grinding –

Daytime/Awake bruxism: Daytime bruxism is typically connected to tension, stress and anxiety

Night-time/Asleep bruxism: Night-time bruxism on the other hand is more likely connected to a chewing action related to sleep.

Although there is a wide array of different views and opinions in the medical world as to what causes teeth grinding, most suggest that it is mainly associated with anxiety and stress. Further to this though, teeth grinding has also been associated with sleeping position or style changes, problems with teeth alignment, heredity-related factors and other problems with biting.

Headaches, Migraines, Anxiety And Teeth Grinding

As well as causing the obvious issues such as the filing down of your teeth, muscular tension in your jaw, tooth sensitivity and toothache; teeth grinding can also be responsible for causing excruciatingly painful migraines and headaches. While you are grinding your teeth, your jaw is unlikely to be positioned correctly, which will make the muscles in your jaw suffer fatigue and become more susceptible to it.

As your jaw muscles use a lot of energy and strength moving your jaw, when fatigue sets in muscle contraction could occur which leads to the migraines and headaches noted above. If you grind or clench your teeth though, you are also putting yourself in danger of suffering from stiff neck muscles. This itself can trigger headaches and lead to feelings of anxiety and stress.

Sleep Apnea And Other Sleep Disorders And Teeth Grinding

Snoring and sleeping disorders like sleep apnea, where there are pauses in your breathing are other reported causes for teeth clenching and grinding. If you know your teeth grinding is related to a sleep disorder, there is a very simple 2 step plan you can follow:

Speak to a sleep disorder specialist – Arrange an appointment, or ask your general practitioner for a referral to a sleep disorder specialist so you can find out if you have sleep apnea or not and to what extent. Once you know for sure that you do suffer from sleep apnea and it is likely to be the cause of your teeth grinding, you need to make an appointment with your dentist.

Get treatment from a qualified dentist – If you want to stop suffering the painful effects of jaw clenching and teeth grinding, you need to have professional treatment from a qualified dental practitioner. It can be very helpful, because not only can you find out the best oral appliances to use such as splints and mouth guards, that can help you stop your night-time teeth grinding, you will also get great tips and advice for oral health care. Mouth guards are devices used in orthodontics that you attach to your teeth before you go to sleep at night and prevent you from grinding your teeth unconsciously. They also help to alleviate a lot of the discomfort and pain that comes from excessive clenching, tension and friction.

How To Stop Bruxism In Its Tracks

As noted earlier, it is not only sleep disorders that are considered a cause for teeth grinding; anxiety and stress are two other factors that are also thought to be responsible. The following are DIY home remedies and techniques that can help children and adults alike to stop grinding their teeth.

Arrange For Stress And Anxiety Counseling

If you discover that stress and anxiety are the main reasons why you grind your teeth, you should look for ways to manage your stress levels. Ask your medical practitioner or even your dentist for any advice they can give. It is also a good idea to participate in physical therapy sessions and exercise groups that can help alleviate stress or at least manage it better. Massage and stretching can be used to relax your muscles, releasing a lot of the tension from your body and reducing your stress.

You could also arrange to have some one on one anxiety and stress counseling. Often, your stress builds up because you feel dragged down by various pressures and responsibilities in life. Talking with someone impartial, who is not a friend or relative with a vested interest in your life, can help you to make sense of your anxiety.

Start Relaxing Your Jaw Muscles Every Night Before You Sleep

It may help to make it a habit of relaxing your muscles at night before you go to sleep. You can do this by placing a warmed piece of cloth on the side of your face. This particular method is more effective with people who grind their teeth as a result of an acute situation, such as a broken or otherwise injured jaw.

Yoga And Meditation

Meditation and stretching exercises of yoga are other ways that people often use to reduce their stress and anxiety levels. They are actually very effective when it comes to tackling teeth grinding issues. This is because not only do they lessen tension throughout the body but they also reduce muscle activity too.

Work Hard At It

To stop grinding your teeth, you need to put considerable amounts of personal effort into the process. You have to teach yourself to stop doing it – in a similar way to how muscle memory training works. Always try to make sure that the tip of your tongue sits between your teeth, as this will enable the muscles in your jaw to relax. It is also important to stop or at least reduce habits that involve you clenching your jaw, such as chewing gum.

Reduce The Amount Of Caffeine And Alcoholic Drinks You Consume

As strange as it may seem at first, there are many who believe that there is a connection between consuming caffeinated and alcoholic drinks and teeth grinding. There is evidence that shows that teeth grinding and clenching becomes more intense after these kinds of drinks have been consumed.

While it is true that caffeine does not cause teeth grinding directly, it certainly is a contributory factor that makes it worse. This is mainly because caffeine increases your awareness and alertness levels. Thus, if you are experiencing bouts of stress and anxiety already and drinking large quantities of caffeine, coffee and other drinks like it, will only heighten those feelings, leading to teeth grinding.

Millions of people in the US alone suffer from dental sensitivity and toothaches, making them some of the most commonly addressed issues by dentists. Which means you’re not alone when you take a sip of your beloved iced dark roast with almond milk and two sugars and the cold drink jabs you with a pang of pain. Nor are you alone when you wake up in the morning and it feels like a tiny construction crew has been jackhammering away at one of your teeth during the night.

Dental Sensitivity Decoded

To begin, let us briefly dive into a dizzying discourse on oral biology: Dental sensitivity is caused by the movement of fluid within the tiny tubes located in the exposed dentin (dentin is the porous layer of tissue found inside of the hard exterior enamel of our teeth.). As a result of this exposure, which isn’t good of course, the nerves within become irritated and, subsequently, you feel pain after biting into your ice cream sandwich. So, let’s break that down.

Your teeth are covered by enamel, the hardened outer layer of your teeth that acts as a protectant against plaque and acids.

When your enamel has become compromised, or your gums recede (either creates exposure), the dentin and the tiny tube surfaces beneath are exposed, meaning that everything from cold temperatures outside to the hotness and coldness of the foods you eat now has the power to cause pain.

Which means that it’s highly important to prevent enamel from eroding (enamel is one of the rare things that our body does not make more of: what you have is what you’ve got for life). Great dental hygiene is your best weapon in keeping your enamel safe—brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash with fluoride.

But what other factors work against our teeth and promote a toothache?

Acidic foods – Highly acidic foods wear away at our enamel, which includes citrus fruits, tea, coffee, and soda.

Harmful Toothpaste – Your toothpaste could be waging war in your mouth. Heavy chemicals and tooth-whitening formulas can sometimes do damage under the guise of being beneficial.

Fluoride and certain brands of toothpaste can aid in strengthening enamel only if the enamel is not already too damaged.

Clenching or grinding teeth – I had a habit of grinding my teeth years ago. A new dentist I visited took one look at my mouth and knew immediately what I had been up to. Teeth grinding also contributes to sensitivity and can be tied to our mental state of mind (perhaps we’re stressed, angry, etc.). Had a terrible meeting at work today? You may manifest that stress in grinding your teeth while you’re sleeping. Experts suggest working out those issues beforehand, and, if all else fails, throw in a mouthguard.

Overbrushing or excessive brushing – Toss out any hard bristle toothbrushes you’ve been using and opt for a softer brush. Hard toothbrushes will give you the clean you need, but they can also wear down enamel and contribute to furthering your sensitivity issues. Remember that you should only be brushing two times a day, three if you’ve eaten something less than ideal.

Powerful mouthwash – Mouthwashes can contain a plethora of harsh chemicals that are both hard to pronounce and hard on your teeth. In any event, look for milder brands what won’t make your teeth more sensitive.

Damaging foods – Gnawing on ice or hard candy will strip away precious enamel, especially the pieces that have been sitting in your grandmother’s candy dish for 30 years. Yea, don’t eat those.

Damage – Cavities, tooth decay, and broken teeth are all causes of teeth sensitivity. Of course, these ailments leave the inner layers of our teeth exposed and will require professional assessment.

To reverse your tooth sensitivity, as mentioned, look for toothpaste and mouthwash that is specifically formulated to repair enamel. Maintain a good dental regimen of flossing, twice-daily brushing, and rinsing with mouthwash. Combined, along with avoiding the factors above, these items will help reduce your sensitivity issues.

Lastly, remember that hot/cold tooth sensitivity can be tied to a more complex dental problem, which can include gum disease, plaque, or previous dental work displaying side effects. With that many potential causes, it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly is causing your dental sensitivity, which means a dentist will be your best bet.

Toothaches

As we transition our discussion from dental sensitivity to just outright “I can’t stand this; I feel like I’m dying!” toothache pain, we move our dental focus from the exposed dentin to the pulp beneath. The pulp is where all of the nerve endings in your tooth reside, and these very sensitive nerves can make things quite unbearable, as you probably already know.

Whereas general tooth sensitivity results from a more easily identifiable list of causes, toothaches derive from such a long list of potential culprits that it’s difficult for nonprofessionals to diagnose on their own. Among them include:

Gum disease and recession

Mouth infection

Shoddy dental work, including poorly [placed] crowns

Serious health concerns, including sinus infections and heart problems

Pregnancy

Gingivitis

Feeling bewildered? That’s completely understandable, especially being that that list only represents a portion of the potential causes. What’s important is to monitor is how the pain arrives, how long it stays, how frequently it occurs, and how that pain responds to medicine. If you’re sick and are running a fever and experience a toothache, does it remain after the sickness has passed? Does your toothache persist while no other observable issues are apparent? It may be time to book an appointment with a dentist. The two of you may have to play Sherlock to get to the root of the problem, which could even send you to a regular doctor to discover if the pain in your teeth is but a byproduct of something else.

Monitor your toothache and dental sensitivity issues so you can provide as much information as possible to your dentist. For instance, when dealing with teeth sensitivity, the pain should be relatively brief, only lasting for a few seconds. If not, take note. Have you noticed any discharge or bleeding from your gums and or teeth? What about while chewing, is there pain? Have you noticed any swelling? How have you responded to over-the-counter medication such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or Orajel? The better a picture you’re able to paint, they better your dental professional will be at accurately pinpointing the issue from the myriad of potential options.

Dealing with teeth sensitivity and a toothache certainly isn’t fun and can quickly become problems that are impossible to ignore. You’ve learned about some of the causes of these issues, and now you can formulate a game plan to help target what your cause may be. If you do conclude, either through pain or persistence, that the problem is beyond your ability, it’s time to call the team at Beautiful Smiles Dental Center. We’re trusted experts with experience in getting to the core of teeth sensitivity and toothaches. We would love to help get you back to your regular pain-free self as quickly as possible.

DENTAL BLOG AND NEWS

Not-So-Sweet Tooth: Cavity Symptoms For Early Detection

Cavity Symptoms

Cavity Symptom #1: A Persistent Toothache

Cavity Symptom #2: Pain While Chewing

Cavity Symptoms #3: Discoloration

Cavity Symptoms #4: Holes In Teeth

Cavity Symptom #5: Swelling Around The Tooth

Cavity Symptom #6: Sensitivity To Temperature

Cavity Symptom #7: Bad Breath

Cavity Treatment

Chewing Gum Can Prevent Cavities – Chew Chew!

Could Some Chewing Gums Actually Prevent Cavities?

Chew Away Tooth Decay

Not All Gums Are Created Equal

Before You Grab That Gum

Unconscious Pressure: Hacks for Overnight Teeth Grinding

Back Off the Grind: Stop Nocturnal Bruxism

What Causes Teeth Grinding – Particularly At Night?

Headaches, Migraines, Anxiety And Teeth Grinding

Sleep Apnea And Other Sleep Disorders And Teeth Grinding

How To Stop Bruxism In Its Tracks

Arrange For Stress And Anxiety Counseling

Start Relaxing Your Jaw Muscles Every Night Before You Sleep

Yoga And Meditation

Work Hard At It

Reduce The Amount Of Caffeine And Alcoholic Drinks You Consume

Toothache Decoded: Causes of Dental Sensitivity

The Most Popular Treatments in Cosmetic Dentistry

How Implants Can Help Alleviate Teeth Problems

Ways Dental Hygienists Prevent Cross-Contamination / Cross-Infection During Your Treatments

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