We’ve all been there… your child complains about a pain in their tooth. After a few days, it becomes clear the pain is not going anywhere.  You hope your child doesn’t have a cavity but how can you be sure?

What is a cavity?

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth.  While there are many things that can cause cavities some of the main factors are what you eat and drink.  Soda, sports drinks and fruit juices are full of sugar which can be harmful to your teeth. Sticky foods such as gummies and fruit snacks stay on teeth and get in the spaces in between making it easier for cavities to develop.  This also applies to cookies and chips which contain a high level of sugar.

5 signs your child has a cavity:

• Sensitivity to temperature: Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something hot or cold
• Unexplained pain: Persistent toothache or any pain that occurs (seemingly) without a cause 
• Discomfort when biting into any type of food
• Bad breath: Continual bad breath, even after brushing
• Change in tooth appearance: Visible holes or dark spots on teeth

What to do?

As there is no sure fire way to know if your child has a cavity, it is important to see the dentist regularly for an exam and professional cleaning. If your child is experiencing severe pain, schedule an appointment immediately.