Signs Your Child Has a Cavity Coronado, CA
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, represents a common problem in childhood. Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria break down or erode the outer layer or enamel of the tooth. Luckily, cavities caught early can be easily repaired.
Pediatric dentistry is available at Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics in Coronado and the surrounding area. We offer a range of dental and oral services for children and adolescents. Call us at (619) 354-5136 to learn more or make an appointment.
Sensitivity to Food Temperature
According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cavities remain the most common chronic disease in children between ages six and eleven and teenagers. If children complain that their teeth hurt when drinking a hot soup or eating a popsicle, parents should suspect a cavity. To understand why tooth decay may cause temperature sensitivity, it helps to consider tooth anatomy. Underneath the top enamel layer of the tooth and the cementum (which lies under the gum) remains a layer called dentin.
According to the American Dental Association, dentin has small tunnels that lead directly to the tooth’s nerve root. When the top layer of the tooth decays and exposes the dentin, hot or cold temperatures can directly impact the nerve, causing hypersensitivity.
“To understand why tooth decay may cause temperature sensitivity, it helps to consider tooth anatomy.”
Visible Hole, Chip, Crack, or Pit in the Teeth
Tooth bacteria appear in thin films on the teeth called plaque. Plaque covers the outer enamel layer of the teeth. Plaque can be brushed away mechanically and kept at bay with flossing and mouth washing. However, if plaque sits on the teeth surface for too long, it can begin degrading the enamel.
If the decay progresses far enough, it can cause visible changes. These cavities might appear as a hole, chip, crack, or pit in the teeth. In most cases, patients need to replace their natural tooth with a crown or other tooth-replacement option. Otherwise, the dentist may fill in the hole, chip, crack, or pit with a composite material and bond it to the teeth.
“If plaque sits on the surface of the tooth for too long, it can begin degrading the enamel.”
Gum Pain and Bleeding
If a child complains of gum pain, this may be a sign of a cavity. Cavities can occur underneath the surface of the gum line when the protective layer of cementum decays. A cavity underneath the gum line can directly irritate the gum tissue and cause pain. However, gum pain may also result from a primary inflammation of the gum itself, a condition known as gingivitis.
Bleeding of the teeth can stem from a large cavity that has caused an infection of the underlying tissue of the tooth. Bleeding can also come from gingivitis. Gingivitis and cavities can share a root cause, so it remains critical to have children evaluated by a dentist if complaining of bleeding.
“A cavity underneath the gum line can directly irritate the gum tissue and cause pain.”
Pain While Chewing
If a child has pain while chewing, this could be another sign of a cavity. Cavities represent a defect in the outer surface of the tooth. When a child chews food, small particles can enter the cavity and irritate the underlying tissues, causing pain.
According to the American Association of Endodontists, large cavities can also cause an infection of the deeper tissues of the tooth so that chewing can be painful even without lodged food particles. Large cavities require immediate attention as they can advance to become root canals if they touch the roots of the teeth. In these cases, the child will likely lose the tooth and require a root canal and crown.
“When a child chews food, small particles can enter the cavity and irritate the underlying tissues, causing pain.”
Dark Spots or White Spots
A color change of a tooth may signal a cavity. As the enamel of the tooth decays, it can become discolored with either dark spots or white spots. The color change can continue as the underlying structures of the tooth, such as dentin, become exposed.
However, dark or white spots can also result from routine staining of the enamel, so it is important to have any tooth discoloration examined by a dentist. When enamel erodes, it exposes dentin, which is yellow in color, emitting that yellow-ish color. The discoloration is often due to staining agents such as coffee, tea, soda, certain juices, and smoking.
“The color change can continue as the underlying structures of the tooth, such as dentin, become exposed.”
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Definition of Pediatric Dental Terminology
Cementum
A thin layer of bony material that fixes teeth to the jaw.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Pulp
Dental pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth with connective tissue that contains blood vessels and nerve tissue.
Dentin
A hard, dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth underneath the enamel.
Direct Pulp Cap
A direct pulp cap is a procedure in which a professional treats exposed pulp with a therapeutic material to help the tooth heal.
Enamel
The enamel is the hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
Pulpectomy
A pulpectomy is a procedure that involves the complete removal of pulp tissue from the root canal in a tooth.
Pulpitis
Pulpitis is another term to describe the inflammation of the dental pulp due to an injury or infection.
Pulpotomy
A pulpotomy is a procedure involving the removal of a portion of diseased or infected pulp in order to protect the healthy portions of the pulp and teeth still in the mouth.