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What Does a Cavity Feel Like?

A cavity can cause pain and sensitivity.¹ If not addressed, the bacteria that cause tooth decay can travel from the outer layer of the tooth to the pulp, causing further pain, infection and potential tooth loss.² Read on and discover how to know if you have cavities and what to do about them.

Key Takeaways

Cavities develop gradually, starting with enamel demineralization from plaque bacteria, progressing deeper into the dentin and pulp if untreated.
Symptoms range from mild sensitivity to severe pain and swelling, with early stages often going unnoticed until damage worsens.
Treatment depends on severity, from fluoride treatments and fillings to root canals or extraction, while prevention relies on regular brushing, flossing, and dental visits.

How Does a Cavity Develop?

Cavities—also known as tooth decay or dental caries—are caused by the bacteria that live in your mouth.¹ The bacteria feed off what we eat and drink, particularly things that contain sugar, and create an acid that attacks the enamel, or outer surface of our teeth.²

Stages of Tooth Decay

Compromised enamel is only the first stage of tooth decay.² Tooth decay progresses as such:^1,2,3

Bacteria and acid appear as plaque on the enamel, leading to demineralization
The bacteria soften the enamel to the point where it collapses on itself, causing a cavity
The decay reaches the dentin, the softer layer of the tooth below the enamel
If left unchecked, bacteria and decay may reach the tooth’s pulp, which houses the tooth’s nerve and blood supply
If decay is allowed to progress to the pulp, it can lead to a serious infection which may require a root canal or extraction

Are Cavities Common?

Tooth decay is incredibly common for people of all ages:¹

50% of children aged 6 to 9 years old have had at least 1 cavity
10% of teens aged 12 to 19 have at least 1 untreated cavity
21% of adults aged 20 to 64 have at least 1 untreated cavity
96% of adults age 65 and older have had a cavity in their lives

How to Know if You Have Cavities

The early stages of tooth decay—when plaque is building up—tend to be asymptomatic and the damage to your enamel is reversible.^1,2 As the decay progresses, you may experience some symptoms that let you know you have a cavity.²

What Does a Cavity Feel Like?

Cavities often feel like mild to sharp pain and sensitivity when biting down or eating or drinking something, hot, cold or sweet.⁵ They can also be experienced as:^2,4,5

sharp pain and sensitivity
aching, throbbing stinging, pounding or burning pain
pain in the jaw, ears, or gums affecting a single tooth
swelling in the gums or face that may cause sensitivity

Other symptoms may include:^1,2,4,5

holes or pits in the tooth that you can see
brown, black or white staining on the surface of a tooth

How Do I Know if my Tooth is Infected?

If the decay has reached the pulp of your tooth, you may be at risk for developing an infection, which requires immediate dental attention.^1,2 Symptoms of an abscess or infection include:^2,4

pain
facial swelling
fever
redness in and around the mouth
bad taste in your mouth

How to Treat Cavities After You’ve Been Diagnosed With One

There may be options to treat a cavity, based on its severity. Switching to a cavity prevention toothpaste with fluoride, such as Pronamel Active Shield, can help reinforce weakened tooth enamel and help shield enamel against cavities with twice daily brushing.

If you already have a cavity, your dentist may recommend the following treatments:⁴

Fluoride: the early stages of tooth decay may be reversed with a professional fluoride treatment and an optimized fluoride toothpaste.¹
Dental fillings: the cavity will be drilled out and filled with a material like dental amalgam, porcelain or resin to restore its shape and function.^2,3
Root canals: this procedure removes infected tissues and saves the tooth.³
Crowns: this removes a tooth’s outer layer and replaces it with a protective cap to cover the top of the tooth, reducing the risk of fracture and protecting the inner layers.⁶
Tooth extraction: if the decay is too severe, a dentist may remove the tooth (and offer options like a bridge or dental implant to replace it).⁶

Cavities can be painful and complicated to treat, but you’re not alone. To prevent cavities, it’s important to maintain a routine of regular toothbrushing and flossing and to schedule regular visits with your dentist for professional cleanings.

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