Do Cavities Always Hurt?

July 13, 2024

When you think of a cavity, you might think of a hole in your tooth that causes tooth sensitivity and pain. However, before cavities become holes in your teeth, they start out pretty small—often without any noticeable symptoms.

It’s essential to understand that cavities can silently progress and eventually compromise your entire tooth, making early detection key to keeping your smile healthy. Let’s take a closer look at whether or not cavities always hurt.

Cavities Don’t Always Cause Symptoms

To understand why early cavities often go unnoticed, we have to look at the nature of tooth decay. Cavities, also known as dental caries, are areas of the teeth destroyed by acid produced by bacteria. This acid gradually erodes the protective enamel layer, leading to the formation of small holes or pits in the tooth’s surface.

During the early stages, these cavities are not large enough to affect the sensitive inner layers of the tooth, such as the dentin or pulp. What this means is that early tooth decay does not cause symptoms for most people [1].

Many people mistakenly assume that the absence of pain means their teeth are free from cavities. Unfortunately, this is not the case, as cavities continue to silently progress if left untreated.

When Cavities Start to Hurt

Without treatment, cavities can extend past the enamel layer and into the layer underneath, called dentin, as they get closer to the pulp [2].

The pulp is the center of the tooth, which houses sensitive nerve tissue and blood vessels, so it can be painful when a cavity reaches this point. Many people may not have symptoms until the cavity reaches this stage.

However, at this point, the decay has progressed significantly, causing sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks, pain while chewing, or painful toothaches. When the cavity has advances to the point that it affects the pulp, a root canal is necessary to save the tooth.

The progression of cavities depends on a few factors, including your oral hygiene, saliva production, and diet. Some people may have cavities that progress faster than others, which is why dental checkups are crucial to catching tooth decay early.

Catching Tooth Decay Early

Before cavities become holes in your teeth, they typically start as white spots on the tooth enamel. These are areas where the enamel has been damaged. Eventually, these spots can become dark and appear stained—this is what a cavity can look like as it’s forming. Your dentist can tell if you have cavities in the early stages with a visual exam or X-rays [3].

When you catch tooth decay in these early stages, minimal treatment is often all that’s needed. For example, you may be able to get a fluoride application to reverse early decay, or you may simply need dental bonding or a small filling rather than root canal therapy.

Preventive measures such as practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining a balanced diet, and regularly visiting the dentist can go a long way in preventing cavities from forming or catching them in their early stages.

Keep Your Smile Healthy With Regular Dental Checkups

So there you have it—cavities don’t always cause pain, especially during their early stages. It’s important not to assume you don’t have cavities just because you don’t have symptoms.

Don’t wait for the pain to start before taking action—take charge of your oral health by scheduling a dental appointment to keep your teeth cavity-free!