How Gum Line Cavities Form, Symptoms and Prevention
Apr 10, 2023
Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash
Gum line cavities are a type of tooth decay. These cavities start in the gum and extend upwards and back into your teeth. The symptoms are tooth pain, bleeding gums, or a burning sensation when you eat hot foods or cold drinks. Many people have gone through the painful experience of gum disease without knowing it. Here is everything you need to know about gum line cavities so that you can be proactive about treating them before they cause any damage!
Symptoms of Gum Line Cavities
1. Visible Discoloration or Dark Spots: The first symptom of gum line cavities is the appearance of visible discoloration or dark spots on the tooth. These can take the form of tiny black dots or larger areas of discoloration. The dark spots are often not visible to the naked eye, but they may appear as a small brownish-black spot on the tooth's surface.
2. Bad Breath: Bad breath is very common in people with gum cavities. When you have a cavity, food particles get trapped inside the tooth and start to decay. This increases bacteria on the surface of your teeth, which causes bad breath.
3. Sensitivity to Hot or Cold
Sensitivity to hot or cold is one of the most common symptoms of gum line cavities. The sensitivity is usually caused by inflammation in the gums, which can be treated with medication or toothpaste that has a numbing agent such as benzocaine in it.
4. Pain or Discomfort
Gum line cavities can cause a sensation of pain or discomfort. The area may feel tender to the touch, swollen and red, or have an ache. A person may also experience a throbbing sensation in the gum line.
5. Swelling and Bleeding Gums
Swelling and bleeding of the gums are symptoms of gum line cavities.
The swelling is usually reddish or yellowish, and it can occur in the front of your mouth near the gum line. Bleeding gums are often caused by bleeding from the gums after you brush or floss your teeth.
Causes of Gum Line Cavities
1. Dental Plaque
Dental plaque is a sticky substance that develops on the teeth and the gums. It's made up of bacteria, food particles, saliva, and other materials that get stuck to the surface of your teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that damage enamel, weaken the tooth structure and cause gum disease. Dental plaque can also spread beyond the gum line, contributing to periodontal disease.
2. Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of gum line cavities. If you don't brush and floss your teeth regularly, you're more likely to get gum disease. This is especially true for people who smoke or drink heavily.
3. Drinking Sugary Beverages
The sugar that we drink is the leading cause of cavities. Sugary drinks like soda, juice, and sweetened tea contain a high amount of sugar. The sugar in these drinks can turn into plaque over time, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common cause of cavities. It's caused by a lack of saliva in your mouth, which causes bacteria to grow and produce acids that can eat away at the tooth enamel.
Treatment for Gum Line Cavity
The treatment for gum line cavities depends on the type of cavity and the severity. In some cases, dentists will perform a filling or crown procedure to restore the tooth’s appearance. Others may need to remove the damaged portion of your tooth and perform by performing tooth extraction surgery. Taking proper care after tooth extraction and other procedures is important when you want to heal. If you have severe damage to your gums and bone, then a root canal may be required.
Prevention
There are several ways to prevent gum line cavities.
1. Be sure to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up in the morning and before bed at night.
2. Floss at least once a day.
3. Use over-the-counter mouthwashes that have fluoride in them.
4. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
5. Visit a dentist if necessary.
About the Author
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD the best dentist in salem, MA, runs a Coral Dental Care a successful dentistry. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training. Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health, recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.