What does a dark spot on your tooth mean?

The most concerning reason why you might have a black spot on your tooth is tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth, allowing sugar, bacteria, and acid to cling to the teeth and eat away at the tooth's enamel and its mineral structure.

Does a dark spot on tooth mean cavity?

Cavity, or tooth decay: Perhaps the most common cause for a black spot on your molar teeth is tooth decay, or a cavity. A cavity forms when the build-up of plaque, which contains acids, is allowed to erode the surface enamel of a tooth. A hole in the tooth's protective layer sometimes shows as a black dot.

Can you get rid of a black spot on tooth?

If the spot is due to tooth decay, your dentist may recommend a filling, root canal, or some other option. If the dark spot is due to staining from foods, drinks, or nicotine products, your dentist may recommend specific at-home or in-office treatments to remove the spot and whiten your teeth.

Why are dark spots appearing on my teeth?

The layer just under the enamel is called dentin and is naturally darker. When the enamel thins with aging, it can expose more of the dentin and appear brown. Consider tooth whitening options to remove the brown areas, whether over-the-counter products or professional services.

How do you tell the difference between a stain and a cavity?

A cavity presents itself with a brown, black or gray spot on your tooth. It is a perfect way on how to tell if you have a cavity. A stain, on the other hand, is a discoloration caused by drinks and food. A stain is not sticky.

Whats The Cause Of That Dark Spot On Your Tooth

What does cavity look like on tooth?

Often a cavity will look like a dark spot on the tooth, typically yellow, brown, or black in color. Early on, it may resemble tooth staining or a slight discoloration. As cavities progress, the holes get bigger and usually darker. A little dot can ultimately consume almost the entire tooth.

Are black stains on teeth permanent?

Many dark-colored foods and drinks contain chemicals called chromogens. Like the tannic acid in red wine, these chemicals can stain tooth enamel. Over time, these stains may become permanent, especially if a person has poor dental hygiene.

What does early stages of tooth decay look like?

Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold. Visible holes or pits in your teeth. Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth. Pain when you bite down.

Can you brush away a cavity?

They occur when bacteria from food sits in between the teeth and if not removed with flossing, the bacteria will slowly start to eat away at the tooth and cause decay, or, a cavity. Unfortunately, once a cavity is fully formed, it is nearly impossible to simply brush and make it go away.

Can cavities heal themselves?

Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.

Are my teeth rotting?

toothache – either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause. tooth sensitivity – you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet. grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth. bad breath.

Why are my teeth rotting even though I brush?

There are several reasons as to why your teeth are bad even after brushing them. Some of the most common causes include: not using the right toothpaste, not flossing, brushing too hard, and not brushing your teeth for a long enough time.

How long can cavities go untreated?

As a broad timeline, on average, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment.

How do you clean a tooth cavity?

Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush, Reach Stim-U-Dent, or Sulcabrush. Rinse daily with a fluoride-containing mouthwash. Some rinses also have antiseptic ingredients to help kill bacteria that cause plaque.

How do you know if a tooth is infected?

How fast does a tooth decay?

Every Cavity Is Different. The time it takes for a cavity to form varies. It can, on average, take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity requires treatment. The length of time it takes will vary on a case-by-case basis because the conditions of your mouth differ daily.

Is black tartar a cavity?

At first, these stains may seem like cavities, but they're not. They're also not normal tooth discoloration related to foods and beverages. These black lines on teeth are actually just a form of tartar, also called dental calculus.

How do cavities heal without fillings?

But now there is a new cavity treatment called silver diamine fluoride (SDF). SDF is an FDA-approved liquid used to treat cavities without an injection or drilling. This new treatment can be great for young children, special needs/medically compromised patients, or anyone fearful of dental treatment.

Do small cavities need to be filled?

Even if you have small cavities they need to be filled. However, if you can catch it early, before tooth decay had led to a cavity, there are a few options available to help you avoid the drill.

When is it too late for a cavity?

Once bacteria have entered your tooth, it may be too late for a filling because we will need to prevent or treat an existing infection. However, it's never too late for dental care!

How much does it cost to fix a cavity?

Metal filling, also called silver amalgam: $50 to $150 for one or two surfaces of the tooth and $120 to $300 for three or more surfaces. Composite resin fillings, also called clear or tooth colored: $90 to $250 for one or two tooth surfaces and $150 to $450 for three more surfaces.

How long does it take for a cavity to form without brushing?

A person who can't brush or floss, who accumulates acid-producing bacteria around the teeth, who does not use fluoride or oral calcium products, and who has stomach acid in the mouth from GERD or bulimia can grow cavities that invade the dental nerve in as little as three or six months.

Do cavities smell?

All joking aside, the bacteria in decay gives off a very unpleasant smell. When a cavity has formed, this build up of bacteria in your mouth can cause your teeth and breath to smell bad. People who have untreated periodontal disease can also experience bad breath.

Why are my teeth yellow I brush them everyday?

In most cases, the common cause for tooth discolouration is external staining as a result of drinking coffee, tea, or wine, or from smoking and other tobacco use.

Why do I get so many cavities when I take care of my teeth?

Unless you clean your teeth immediately after eating, sugars remain on and between your teeth and along your gumline. Bacteria in your mouth then have ample time to feast on these sugars and leave behind a destructive waste product that erodes tooth enamel. This is what causes cavities.