蛀牙的症状 The Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the destruction of the enamel (outer surface) of a tooth. Tooth decay is also known as dental cavities or dental caries. Decay is caused by bacteria that collect on tooth enamel. The bacteria live in a sticky, white film called plaque. Bacteria obtain their food from sugar and starch in a person's diet. Tooth decay usually does not cause symptoms until you have a cavity or infected tooth.
When this occurs, symptoms include:

• Toothache.
• Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth.
• White, gray, brown, or black spots on the teeth.
• Loose fillings.
• A broken tooth
• A tooth that is sensitive to pressure.

The pain may become worse when you:

• Eat sweets.
• Eat hot or cold foods or drink hot, cold, or acidic liquids, such as citrus drinks.
• Chew food or gum.
• Breathe in cold air.
• Brush your teeth.

Severe tooth decay may cause a pus-filled sac to form in the bone at the base of a tooth. Symptoms of abscess include:

• Fever.
• Swollen glands.
• A swollen jaw.
• Deep, throbbing pain.