Have you been experiencing unusual sensitivity in one or more of your teeth recently? Maybe you have noticed a little twinge when you drink your coffee and wondered if it was possible that you might have a cavity? If you have ever been curious how to tell when you might have a cavity, listed below are some causes of cavities, signs that you may have one, and what you can do about it. 

What is a Cavity?

Anytime tooth decay causes damage to one of your teeth and that decay remains untreated long enough to form a hole in your damaged tooth, you have a cavity. Cavities often impact either your tooth’s enamel, which is the hard outer protective layer of your teeth, or the inner layer, referred to as dentin, or possibly both.  

What Causes Cavities?

Cavities can be caused by many different things but they are almost always preventable. Understanding what increases your risk of developing cavities is a good way to avoid them.

• Certain drinks and foods, particularly sugary or sticky foods that are difficult to remove, even with brushing and flossing.
• Inadequate oral health practices. If you do not brush your teeth and floss properly, you can leave a lot of residues behind. This residue will feed harmful bacteria and wear away your enamel. 
• Acid reflux disease and eating disorders can both cause an excess of acid in your saliva which will weaken your enamel as well. 
• Dry mouth is a common ailment that is most often caused by dehydration or is a side effect of certain medications. It usually results in inadequate production of saliva production. One of the main purposes of saliva is that it helps to clean your teeth, so a lack of saliva leaves your mouth vulnerable to a build-up of harmful oral bacteria. 

Signs You May Have a Cavity

While it is possible to have a cavity and not experience any pain, you will eventually notice that something is wrong. There are a few common symptoms, however, that can signal the onset of a cavity.

• Pain in your teeth that seems to come out of nowhere or pain when you bite down.
• Unusual sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet drinks and foods.
• Noticeable holes in one or more of your teeth.
• Brown, black, or white stains on the surface of your teeth. 

At McBride Dental, we want to help you and your family do everything possible to have and preserve healthy teeth and gums. By scheduling regular appointments with your California family dentist and practicing the oral care techniques we teach you, your whole family will easily maintain teeth that are healthy, strong, and effective.

The San Marcos offices of Dr. Michael McBride are staffed with reputable, professional San Diego dentists that are ready to address any concerns you may have regarding common dental procedures, as well as preventative, cosmetic, or restorative dentistry. We also provide sedation dentistry treatments as an option for our patients with severe dental anxiety.

It is our job to help you and your family establish healthy dental habits to make sure that your teeth will always be there when you need them and your smile will always look great.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a San Marcos dentist, please give us a call at (760) 471-1003 and speak with a trained member of our dental staff today.