As you take a bite of a cold popsicle, you feel a strong twinge of pain in your mouth. You quickly find a mirror and examine your teeth for a cavity. There’s no discoloration or obvious signs of damaged enamel—that you can see. But this doesn’t mean your smile is perfectly healthy. You could have a cavity between teeth that is hidden from view. In this post, you’ll learn about how to recognize that you may have tooth decay out of sight and how to prevent it from happening.
How to Tell If You Have a Cavity Between Your Teeth
Although you may not be able to view it clearly, a cavity that is located between your teeth may still become apparent through the following symptoms:
- One of the teeth suddenly becomes sensitive to hot, cold, or sugary substances.
- You have tooth pain, but you can’t see a cavity.
- When you floss, it doesn’t feel smooth between the teeth and catches on one of them.
Knowing these symptoms helps, but the most certain way to confirm that you have a cavity in this inconspicuous area is to get X-rays with your dentist. The decay will show up in the image even if you can’t see it with the naked eye. This is more thorough examination is a major reason why you need to keep up with your routine hygiene appointments every six months.
How to Prevent Cavities Between Your Teeth
Needless to say, you should try to avoid getting a cavity between your teeth, but actually doing it can be a little tricky. Brushing your teeth only goes so far in these tiny spaces, allowing plaque to form and potentially form decay. That’s why you need to also floss at least once every day! Flossing enables you to clear out these tight areas all the way to the gums.
Although flossing once daily is the bare minimum requirement, you might want to consider flossing extra if you feel something get stuck between your teeth. Not only can a bit of food be used to feed bacteria, but it could also even cause your teeth to shift, potentially making the space between teeth bigger. In other words, don’t hesitate to floss more frequently as needed.
In addition to brushing and flossing, you can prevent cavities between teeth by drinking plenty of water and choosing a healthy diet. Water, which has no sugar, rinses your mouth even in those hard-to-reach spaces, and cutting back on sugar and selecting nutritious foods can greatly reduce your risk of tooth decay.
Ultimately, even though a cavity between your teeth may not be visible, it can still negatively affect your ability to function. If you think you might have a hidden cavity, you should talk to your dentist and have it corrected sooner rather than later, when it could damage the entire tooth. Taking care of the cavity early or preventing it altogether can keep your teeth in excellent condition for many more years of use.
About the Practice
At Dr. Glen’s Happy Teeth, we emphasize the importance of early detection and prevention. Although we have the training to treat cavities, we help our patients of all ages keep their smiles strong and healthy through the least invasive procedures possible. Do you think you have a cavity between your teeth? Contact our Long Beach practice or call us at 516-431-5855 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Glen or Dr. Benny today!