If you are wondering how to find the most important sign of cavities, learn everything you need to know before you see the children's dentist today.

1. Toothache

If your child has a cavity, they will most likely experience chronic pain in their teeth. Depending on the number of cavities and their severity, this ache might occur in different parts of the teeth.

They may experience this pain spontaneously or from chewing. This pain can range from slight to debilitating discomfort.



That's because of inflammation that is caused by the cavity. As the cavity worsens, so does the pain. The cavity also does not need to be big for it to cause a toothache.

2. New Gaps/Overcrowding

This symptom is especially true for cavities in the back teeth. Not only do cavities cause all of the aforementioned trouble, but they can also expand. This can reposition your teeth, causing your teeth to overcrowd or see new gaps.



So if you notice your teeth shifting excessively, take your child to a children's dentist for a cavity checkup. There's a good chance that one or multiple cavities are the culprits.

3. Temperature Sensitivity

Another sign that your child needs to see a dentist is when their teeth feel sensitive to the temperature of their food/drinks. That's because cavities could indicate a worn-down enamel, which can expose the dentin.

The dentin is a layer of tissue. It contains nerves that are otherwise protected by the enamel. Extreme temperatures coming into contact with the dentin can trigger discomfort.



Experiencing temperature sensitivity is uncomfortable enough. But this can happen in conjunction with a toothache, making the pain even more unbearable. Your child won't feel great about not being able to enjoy their favorite snacks and drinks!

4. Blood While Brushing

Now, this symptom should not have the same reaction to blood while flossing. In that case, it might just mean your child needs to floss more. But blood while brushing indicates tissue damage that's produced from swollen gums.



That's because the source of the bleeding is most likely the location of the cavity too. When a cavity forms, it might cause new tissue growth that's less protected when your child brushes. Your child may damage this new tissue through the pressure of their brushing.

5. Pits/Holes in Teeth

True to its name, a cavity will show itself in the form of holes in your child's teeth. But that doesn't necessarily mean huge gaps or craters in your teeth. Even minor pits and holes can indicate cavities.

If you're lucky enough, you'll spot a cavity when it's just forming. But without proper treatment and prevention, cavities can worsen into tooth decay because of bacterial/acid overexposure. This can deepen any crevices in your child's teeth.



Whether you're trying to stop a problem from forming or worsening, teach your kids to floss daily. This way, they'll remove any food debris that's remained after they've brushed, keeping their teeth as clean as they can from any cavity-worsening pollutants.

6. Bad Breath

Tooth decay can also cause bad breath. That's because tooth decay can indicate and produce bacterial overexposure that causes a putrid stench. Having new gaps in your teeth can also trap in more food, which can also cause bad breath.



So if you notice that your child's morning breath is a little more stubborn and heinous than usual, make an appointment with a local children's doctor. They'll clean your child's teeth, fill their cavities, and offer top-notch advice regarding preventing future cavities.

7. Discoloration

Abnormal tooth discoloration of your children's teeth could indicate a good reason to call one of the best local children's dentists. If you catch it in its earliest stages, you'll see discoloration in the form of very light, even white spots.

Whitening spots may look cleaner at first, but it's a sign that your child's enamel is wearing off. With early treatment, a dentist can reverse this damage.



But without treatment, these spots will darken to brown/black. These spots may also grow in size. While this happens, you'll also notice your children's teeth having degraded structural integrity, becoming softer and/or easier to disintegrate.

8. No Signs At All

Don't rely on a parent's intuition to detect when your child has cavities. Sometimes, even deep cavities don't offer any negative consequences on the surface.



But there are many reasons why regular dental checkups are crucial, and cavity detection is one of them. Through these checkups, your dentist will be able to use their expertise to look for cavities that are not obvious to you.

Find a Children's Dentist Near You!

Having a great children's dentist by your side can heavily affect the future of your child's oral health. So if you notice any of the cavity symptoms above, don't take any chances! Make an appointment with a local dentistry as soon as you can.



At Dentiland, we understand the importance of your child's oral health. That's why our team of experts offers some of the best dental services for locals in Tijuana. So if you need a children's dentist that accept Medicaid, then contact us today!