How To Know If You Have A Cavity: Symptoms, Causes, And Prevention

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Medical News TodaySubscribeHow to know if you have a cavity

Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Joanne Lewsley — Updated on March 30, 2023

Signs and symptoms
Causes
Risk factors
Complications
Prevention
Contacting a dentist
Summary

A cavity is a hole in the tooth. Signs of a cavity include spots or holes on the surface of the tooth and pain sensitivity in the area.

Cavities are a symptom of tooth decay. They develop when bacteria inside the mouth produce acids that erode the hard enamel surface of the tooth. Over time, cavities can extend further into the softer layers of the tooth, causing pain, infection, and tooth loss.

This article describes the signs, symptoms, and causes of cavities, and outlines some risk factors for developing cavities. We also provide some prevention tips and offer advice on when to see a dentist.

Cavity signs and symptoms

Lower half of a woman's face as she smiles, showing her teeth, which have no signs of cavities. — Westend61/Getty Images

The signs and symptoms of tooth decay depend on several factors, including the location and extent of individual cavities and the number of teeth affected.

Small, surface cavities may not cause any signs or symptoms to begin with. However, as the cavity progresses, a person may experience the following:

white spots on the surface of the tooth, indicating early tooth decay
brown or black spots on the surface of the tooth, indicating developing tooth decay
visible holes or dents in the tooth enamel
sensitivity or toothache in the area of the cavity
generalized toothache or jaw pain
pain during eating or drinking, especially with foods that are hot, cold, or sugary
pain when biting down or chewing on food

A dentist will look for signs of tooth decay during an oral examination and may recommend dental X-rays to help look for cavities between the teeth or behind fillings.

Causes

Individual teeth are composed of the following layers:

Enamel: The outermost layer of the tooth. It is composed of minerals that form a hard, smooth, protective surface.
Dentin: The middle layer of the tooth. It consists of tiny tubules that create the main structure of the tooth.
Pulp: The innermost layer of the tooth. It contains the nerves.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the surface of the tooth. Consuming sugary foods or beverages causes the bacteria to produce acids that attack and dissolve tooth enamel. Because plaque is so sticky, the acids can remain on the teeth for a long time. This can cause the enamel to break down or “demineralize,” resulting in a cavity.

Regular brushing and flossing help remove harmful plaque, while saliva can help neutralize and wash away acids. Together, these processes help teeth remineralize and repair damaged tooth enamel before a cavity forms.

Cavities are a common problem among both children and adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 5 children aged 5–11 years and 1 in 7 aged 12–19 years has at least one untreated decayed tooth. The CDC also reports that more than 1 in 4 adults in the United States has untreated tooth decay, and around 96% of those over the age of 65 have experienced at least one cavity.

Risk factors

Anyone who has teeth is at risk of tooth decay and cavities. The following factors may increase the risk of cavities:

incorrect or irregular brushing or flossing
not visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups
not visiting the oral hygienist regularly for professional cleanings
frequently snacking on high sugar foods or sipping on high sugar beverages
eating certain foods that can cling to teeth, such as ice cream, sugary foods, and potato chips
not having enough fluoride, since fluoride can help to prevent cavities and reverse early signs of damage
medication that causes a dry mouth, since saliva helps neutralize and wash away harmful acids

Factors that increase the risk of cavities in children include inefficient brushing techniques and consuming more sweet foods. Factors that increase the risk for adults include having existing dental fillings that may leak or crack and having receding gums, which can expose the tooth root to decay.

Certain economic and social factors can also increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities. For example, difficulty maintaining oral health is more common among the following people:

older people who are on a low income and do not have medical insurance
children from low income households
Hispanic adults and non-Hispanic Black adults on low incomes and without access to appropriate dental care
people with chronic diseases that can increase the risk of oral health issues, such as diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease

Complications

Without treatment, cavities can extend into the deeper layers of the tooth. This may result in the following symptoms:

increasing pain
swelling around the affected area
an infection, or abscess, in the tooth and gums
problems eating, which may lead to malnutrition and weight loss
loss of part or all of the tooth
problems with self-esteem following tooth loss

In some instances, an oral infection can spread to the bloodstream. Medical professionals refer to this as septicemia. Without prompt and aggressive antibiotic treatment, septicemia can result in a potentially life threatening condition called sepsis. This condition involves widespread inflammation throughout the body and possible organ failure.

Prevention

The American Dental Association (ADA) provides the following tips to help prevent dental cavities:

Regular brushing: People should brush their teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
Regular flossing: People should clean between the teeth daily, using one of the following:
- dental floss
- a water flosser
- an interdental brush
Regular dental visits: It is important that people attend regular dental check-ups, as a dentist can often identify early cavities before they become more problematic.
Regular oral hygiene visits: Regular visits to the oral hygienist can help to improve oral health.
Controlling diet: People should limit or avoid sugary snacks and drinks.
Taking supplements: A person can ask their dentist about supplemental fluoride to help strengthen the teeth. Supplements are available in the following forms:
- tablets
- lozenges
- liquids
Receiving dental sealants: In some circumstances, dentists may place a dental sealant on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. A dental sealant is a thin, protective coating that helps stop bacteria from getting into tooth ridges and pits. According to the CDC, sealants protect the teeth from 80% of cavities for 2 years, and continue to protect against 50% of cavities for up to 4 years.

Contacting a dentist

The ADA states that people should contact a dentist if they experience any of the following:

pain or swelling in the mouth, jaw, face, or neck
difficulty chewing or eating
swollen or bleeding gums
spots or sores in the mouth
dry mouth
a medical condition or medical treatment that may affect the teeth, such as:
- an eating disorder
- diabetes
- chemotherapy or radiotherapy
pregnancy, as this can make some dental problems worse
self-consciousness due to the appearance of the teeth

Summary

Cavities are holes in the enamel surface of the tooth. Over time, cavities can progress to deeper layers of the tooth. Without treatment, this may result in pain, infection, and tooth loss.

Anyone who has teeth can develop cavities. However, factors that can help reduce the risk of dental cavities include regular brushing and flossing, regular visits to the dentist and oral hygienist, and preventive treatments, such as fluoride supplementation and dental sealants.

Anyone who experiences symptoms of dental decay or another oral health issue between dental check-ups should book an appointment with their dentist. Signs to look out for include swollen or bleeding gums, difficulty chewing, and pain in the tooth, jaw, or face. Prompt treatment can help prevent dental disease from worsening and causing other complications.

Dentistry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

12 signs you need to see a dentists. (n.d.). https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/top-reasons-to-visit-dentist
Adult oral health. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/index.html
Bayetto, K., et al. (2020). Dental abscess: A potential cause of death and morbidity. https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2020/september/dental-abscess-death-and-morbidity
Cavities. (n.d.). https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/c/cavities
Children’s oral health. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/childrens-oral-health/index.html
Dental sealant FAQs. (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/dental_sealant_program/sealants-FAQ.htm
Older adult oral health. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm
Sun, H. B., et al. (2017). Risk factors associated with early childhood caries [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28573263/

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Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS — Written by Joanne Lewsley — Updated on March 30, 2023

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How To Know If You Have A Cavity: Symptoms, Causes, And Prevention

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