One of the most common dental concerns for kids is dental cavities. To get started, here we really want to highlight that the right answer to “how do I know if my child has a cavity” is “see your dentist”. It cannot be overstated how easy it is for dental decay to start and grow completely without any noticeable symptoms. This is why dentists recommend the two yearly visits. This prevents any dental issue from having more than six months to develop. That said, there are some cases where dental decay is noticeable or presents symptoms. If you notice any of the following signs for yourself or your kids, don’t wait until the next scheduled appointment and make a quick appointment so your child can have their teeth looked at. And for dental appointments all throughout the Chicago area, give one of our 12 offices a call!
Is My Child’s Toothache a Cavity
Maybe. To be transparent, toothaches can actually mean a lot of different things since they are a pretty broad symptom. In fact, sometimes kids will experience tooth pain or soreness purely because food is lodged between two teeth. That said, if your child mentions that their toothache is consistent, not going away, or it hurts when they chew, this could all be a sign of an underlying issue like a cavity. But again, it is important to always remember that not all cavities cause toothaches, and not all toothaches are cavities. There is no one to one relationship here.
Does Temperature Sensitivity Mean Cavity
Similar to a toothache, your child might notice sharp pain when eating/drinking something hot or cold. Likewise, they might notice pain when having something very sweet. This actually can be a sign of a cavity, especially when the pain is localized to a specific tooth or area. That sensitivity happens when the inner part of our tooth, where the nerves are, starts to get exposed to the outside, which often happens when there is erosion of the enamel.
Can You See A Dental Cavity
Yes. It is possible to see a pit or even a hole in a tooth. However, just because you cannot see it does not mean it is not there. Cavities frequently form in the hardest places to see, like between the teeth or in the back molars. This is because these areas often get underbrushed, or kids forget to floss. This is why dental checkups and especially yearly X-rays are so important for kids.
Prevent & Treat Cavities with A Checkup in Chicago
For families living around Chicago, our twelve dental offices provide high-quality oral care to patients of all ages. For more information, please give one of our teams a call.