Sometimes, tooth decay causes no symptoms at all. This is part of the reason it’s so important to schedule regular dental examinations and professional cleanings; your dentist may discover tooth decay or cavities during a routine examination. Sometimes, however, tooth decay and cavities may cause symptoms like toothache, which can be constant and dull, sharp and shocking, or anywhere in between. Tooth decay can lead to tooth sensitivity, too, causing a feeling of tenderness or even pain when the teeth are exposed to extreme temperatures or foods that are excessively sweet. People with tooth decay may also find themselves with an unpleasant taste or odor in their mouth, or brown or gray spots on their teeth. Cavities are extremely common, but that does not mean that they are to be taken lightly. Even in infants and children who don’t yet have their permanent teeth, cavities and tooth decay can have long-lasting complications, including pain, abscess, broken or damaged teeth, problems with chewing, or teeth shifting position in the mouth. Sometimes, the pain of a cavity is enough to interfere with your day-to-day routine, preventing you from eating sufficient amounts and leading to weight loss or malnutrition. If left untreated long enough, tooth decay and cavities can lead to tooth loss, which can then cause the adjacent teeth to shift, harming your appearance and self-esteem and also adversely affecting the mechanics of your mouth and teeth. While this outcome is rare, tooth decay can sometimes lead to an abscess, which is a pus-filled pocket that results from infection, and abscess can lead to serious infection that can even be life-threatening.

With regular dental visits, tooth decay can be treated as early as possible, and prevention strategies can be introduced. It is much easier, and much less expensive, to treat tooth decay in its earliest stages. Early on, your dentist may talk to you about your diet, focusing on the amount of sugar you consume and how frequently you eat. Your dentist may also treat your teeth with fluoride, which protects the teeth and helps strengthen their enamel, helping them resist the acids that cause tooth decay. If you already have a cavity, your dentist will discuss treatments, like fillings and crowns, to prevent decay from advancing. If your tooth decay has already spread into the tooth’s pulp, this may necessitate a root canal, and, if the tooth decay has already damaged the tooth beyond repair, your dentist will discuss extraction and replacement treatments. The best way to avoid tooth decay is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. While routine checkups and cleanings and daily care can help, your dentist may also recommend that you limit your intake of starchy and sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals and just before bedtime. Excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking can also interfere with saliva production and lead to the erosion of tooth enamel; talk to your dentist if you want to learn more about smoking-cessation options or techniques to reduce your alcohol consumption. Prevention and early detection are the best approaches to keep tooth decay from advancing to the point of unpleasant and expensive dental procedures, so be sure to talk to your dentist about any habits you may have that could accelerate or exacerbate tooth decay.

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