Caries: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Caries can occur in different parts of the tooth: Occlusal caries, pitting and fissure caries, smooth surface caries, interdental caries (between teeth), cervical caries, root caries.

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate caries:

  • White, chalky change on the tooth surface (early, incipient, initial carious lesion).
  • Brownish change (already advanced demineralization).
  • Cavitation (“hole in the tooth”)
  • Possible pain reactions to hot, cold, sweet or sour.
  • Possiblepain due to irritation or infection or death of the nerve, if the caries has penetrated to the pulp (pulp or colloquially (incorrectly) dental nerve).
  • Possible irritation of the tissues surrounding the tooth (periodontium) and associated pain or bleeding when brushing teeth.