Symptoms

Tooth decay usually does not cause symptoms until you have a cavity or infected tooth. When this occurs, symptoms include:

• Toothache, which is the most common symptom. An infection or irritation of the tooth pulp usually causes the pain.
• Bad breath or a foul taste in the mouth.
• White, gray, brown, or black spots on the teeth.
• Loose fillings.
• A broken tooth or 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 (abscess) to form in the bone at the base of a tooth. Symptoms of abscess include:

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

For more information, see the topic Abscessed Tooth.