Cavity vs. Sensitive Teeth: What's the Difference?

Written by Precision Smile Dentistry

The horrors of a dental cavity are unmatched; it’s like getting an unflinching reminder of how important good oral hygiene is. Meanwhile, dental sensitivity is rather a common discomfort that sometimes indicates a cavity or other tooth problem. Therefore, if you ask yourself, “Do I have a cavity or sensitive teeth?” quite often, you can find the answer to your query in this blog.

Cause of Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is a sharp pain in the mouth when you eat or drink something hot or cold, caused by gum recession and enamel wear. When enamel wears down, the soft inner portion of your tooth, dentin, which has tubules connecting to your tooth’s nerves, is exposed. Eating or drinking hot, cold or acidic foods or beverages can trigger tooth sensitivity.

Cause of Dental Cavity

Cavities are normally caused by inadequate dental hygiene, such as not brushing or flossing daily. If you don’t brush or floss daily, food debris between your teeth will develop plaque, which contains a variety of germs. The plaque buildup on teeth eventually erodes the enamel, leading to cavities.

3 Easy Ways to Differentiate Between Dental Cavity and Sensitivity

The primary difference between a cavity and sensitive teeth is that a cavity has a dull pain while sensitivity pain is intense. If you keep getting confused about having a cavity or sensitive teeth, you can use the following ways to identify the issue:

1. Hole in your Teeth

To find out if you have cavity or sensitive teeth, run your tongue over any holes you see on the tooth’s crown. If you sense a hole in the crown, then it is a cavity. In case you find a hole in your teeth, run to the dentist and get your cavity treated as soon as possible.

2. Halitosis

Bad breath occurs when germs spread and infiltrate the tooth, the same bacteria that is responsible for cavities. Therefore, if you have halitosis all of a sudden, it is probably because you have a dental cavity.

3. Bite

If you feel a sharp and spontaneous pain in your mouth while eating cold or hot food, there is a chance you are suffering from dental sensitivity. Remember that sensitivity never goes away whether you stop eating or drinking hot or cold food or beverages.

Does Tooth Sensitivity Go Away?

Tooth sensitivity gradually goes away. There are easy ways to deal with teeth sensitive to cold or hot food or beverage, including:

1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
2. Start using dental products with fluoride.
3. Avoid teeth grinding.
4. Use desensitizing toothpaste.