No one wants to hear that they have a cavity. When you have a cavity, it means that your tooth is showing signs of decay. In the beginning, you may not experience any pain with a cavity. As the cavity progresses, however, it can lead to severe pain. The decay will eventually start to show if you do not take action to stop it from progressing. Extensive decay can even cause you to lose your tooth. If you suspect that you have a cavity, there are some steps you should take to avoid further pain and damage to your tooth.

Thoroughly clean your teeth

One of the signs that commonly make people think they have a cavity is oral pain. It is possible for a cavity to cause pain but there are other causes worth exploring. Food lodged in between your teeth or at the gumline can cause pain. Gum disease such as gingivitis can cause sensitivity and make it seem like you have a toothache. If your tooth pain is caused by one of these issues then a thorough cleaning may help. Flossing your teeth can remove any particles that are stuck and get you back on track toward having healthy gums. Mouthwash can also help with the health of your gums. If you just noticed the discomfort, take a few minutes to thoroughly clean your teeth and mouth to see if it helps.

Protect your tooth from temperature extremes

Eating is an essential part of life. When you have a cavity, however, the daily practice of eating can lead to pain. Teeth that have decay can be more sensitive to temperature extremes of hot or cold food. Because of this, it is important to protect your tooth from those temperature extremes until you can get help from your dentist. Being careful about what food touches your tooth can help you avoid additional pain.

Schedule an appointment with your dentist

Tooth pain that is extreme and/or persistent needs to be looked at by a dentist. There are some situations where a cavity is a dental emergency. If the pain is so intense that you cannot sleep, eat, or go about your normal day then you likely have a dental emergency. Call your dentist to set up an emergency appointment. If the pain is manageable, set up a normal appointment for treatment.

If you are experiencing pain due to a cavity, it is not going to go away on its own. Decay is progressive and will continue to damage your teeth and cause pain until you get help. Ultimately, the most important step to take if you suspect a cavity is to call your dentist and set up an appointment.