How do you know if you have a cavity?

[SEAlla]

I consider myself to be fairly fortunate to be blessed with good teeth. I am 32 years old and never have had a cavity.

However, I know my time is going to run out. I do my best to take care of my teeth but I know that they can still get cavities.

I have had a bit of a tooth ache for the past couple of days and am wondering if it is just sensitivity or possibly a cavity.

What are some signs of an actual cavity?

Thanks

 

[Dan Murphy]

Anything here??

http://health.howstuffworks.com/cavity3.htm

 

[SEAlla]

Thanks Dan!

 

[answerer]

It hurts and you have a black spot on your tooth.

 

[Kermit]

Sticky foods, like caramel, usually get stuck in the bad spot.

Go see a dentist! He can tell you easily what the problem is. If it is a cavity, it's much better to have it filled while it's small. You can even have it done without any pain medications, which means you'll be in there and out of there in no time.

 

[miste76]

You should be having your teeth cleaned and examined twice a year. Decay is first evident on an x-ray... and then later becomes visible to the naked eye. If you have a toothache, it's probably worse than just a cavity.
As far as color goes... decay can be any color... black, brown, yellow, green, pink, etc... A hole in the tooth is decay. A broken tooth is usually from decay. Pain is usually worse than just decay.

You really should go to the dentist, whether or not it turns out to be a cavity. Something is wrong if you have pain.

 

[froglady]

Hate to say it, but you're entering an age where the gums and what's below them becomes more of a problem than cavities.

Get thee to a dentist!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'd say go to the dentist to have your teeth checked. I never had any cavities & then at age 42 I got 16 all at once. (Major bummer)

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Usually I know if I get pain or major sensitivity from really cold or really hot drinks. I rarely get cavities-going every 6 months helps a lot! They catch those cavities before they are bad enough for you to feel them.

 

[Micca]

I agree that you may not have a cavity, but some sensitivity. If you have fear of dentists, ask some friends/neighbors/co-workers. There are some excellent docs out there who can help you.