A dentist preparing to work on a patient who has signs of a tooth cavity. Share on Pinterest

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The health of your teeth is key to your overall health. Preventing tooth decay or cavities is one of the most important ways to keep your teeth in good condition and to prevent other complications.

根据疾病控制与预防中心的说法 30% of American adults have untreated dental cavities. Cavities left untreated can destroy your teeth and possibly create more serious issues.

That’s why it helps to know the signs of atooth cavity如果您认为自己有一位,请尽快去看牙医。

When food and bacteria build up in your teeth, it can form牌匾。斑块中的细菌产生的酸能够侵蚀牙齿表面上的搪瓷。

定期刷牙和牙线可以帮助摆脱粘稠的斑块。如果允许斑块积聚,它可以继续在牙齿上吞噬并产生腔。

腔体在您的牙齿上形成一个孔。如果未经治疗,腔最终会破坏您的牙齿。未经处理的腔也会产生更严重的并发症,例如牙齿脓肿或一个infection这会进入您的血液,这可能会威胁生命。

Areas in your mouth that may be at a higher risk of developing plaque include:

  • 磨牙的咀嚼表面可以在凹槽和缝隙中收集一些食物
  • between your teeth
  • the bottom of your teeth near your gums

经常吃倾向于牙齿的食物也可能会增加腔风险。这些食物的一些例子包括:

  • 干果
  • 冰淇淋
  • 硬糖
  • soda
  • fruit juice
  • 芯片
  • sugary foods like cake, cookies, and gummy candy

尽管腔体在儿童中更为常见,但成年人仍然处于危险之中,尤其是当牙龈开始从牙齿上退出时,这会使根部暴露在牙菌斑中。

有几个迹象可能表明腔的开始。还有许多危险信号,现有腔正在越来越大。

Here are some of the most common signs you may have a cavity.

1. Hot and cold sensitivity

吃冷食物后徘徊的敏感性可能表明您有腔。

When the enamel on your tooth starts to wear away, it can affect the dentin, which is the hard tissue layer below the enamel. Dentin contains lots of microscopic little hollow tubes.

When there isn’t enough enamel to protect the dentin, foods that are hot, cold, sticky, or acidic can stimulate the cells and nerve inside your tooth. This is what creates the sensitivity you feel.

2.对糖果的敏感性

虽然冷热是当您有腔时最常见的敏感性,但Dr. Inna Chern,纽约通用牙科的创始人DDS表示,对糖果和含糖饮料的敏感性也可以指向蛀牙。

Similar to temperature sensitivity, a lingering discomfort from sweets is often a result of damage to the enamel and, more specifically, the start of a cavity.

3.牙痛

An ongoing疼痛in one or more of your teeth can indicate a cavity. In fact, pain is one of the most common symptoms of a cavity.

Sometimes this ache can come on suddenly, or it can happen as a result of something you eat. This includes pain and discomfort in or around your mouth. You may also feel pain and pressure when you bite down on food.

4. Staining on tooth

Stains on your tooth may first appear as white spots. As the tooth decay becomes more advanced, the stain can become darker.

由腔引起的染色可能是棕色,黑色或白色,通常出现在牙齿的表面上。

5.牙齿中的一个洞或坑

如果您的牙齿上的白点(表明腔体开始)恶化,您最终会得到一个洞或坑在牙齿中,您可以看到镜子看镜子或感觉到牙齿表面上时感觉到。

某些孔,尤其是在牙齿或缝隙中的孔,看不见或感觉到。但是您可能仍然会在腔区域感到疼痛或敏感性。

如果您注意到牙齿上的洞或坑,请预约去看牙医。这是一个明显的迹象,表明您有蛀牙。

If you have a concern about a possible cavity, it’s time to make an appointment to see your dentist.

“如果你觉得温度或甜的敏感性lingers, make an appointment with your dental wellness provider to evaluate the area, especially if the issue lasts more than 24 to 48 hours,” Chern suggests.

A toothache that won’t go away or staining on your teeth are also reasons to see your dentist.

此外,每6个月常规观看牙医,并定期进行X射线检查是防止空腔或阻止现有腔体成更大问题的最佳方法之一,例如无法修复牙齿的根管和裂缝。

如果您担心自己的空腔并且还没有牙医,则可以通过Healthline FindCare tool

实践良好的牙齿卫生是对抗空腔的第一步。

Here are some of the best ways to protect yourself against cavities and more serious tooth decay issues:

  • 每6个月见您的牙医每6个月常规清洁and exams.
  • 每天至少用牙膏刷两次fluoride
  • Establish a regular牙线例程,每天至少用牙线或牙线牙齿清洁牙齿之间。
  • 全天喝水,以帮助冲洗牙齿并增加唾液流动。口干可能会增加您的空腔风险。
  • 尽量不要定期饮用含糖的苏打水或果汁,并尝试减少含糖食品。
  • Ask your dentist for preventive products. Chern says if you’re very cavity-prone, ask your dentist for a prescription for high-fluoride Prevident toothpaste or rinse with a fluoride mouthwash like ACT, which is great for kids and adults.

购物含氟牙膏,floss,水牙, 和ACT mouthwash在线的。

腔体开始很小,但是如果允许它们变大,可能会导致蛀牙和其他严重的问题。

If you notice any tooth sensitivity, pain, discomfort, discoloration, or holes in your teeth, don’t hesitate to call your dentist. The sooner you get a cavity checked, the less invasive and more successful the treatment is likely to be.