How do you identify a cavity?

What does a cavity starting look like?

What Does a Cavity Look Like? While it is usually difficult to see a cavity in its beginning stages, some cavities start with a whitish or chalky appearance on the enamel of your tooth. More serious cases can have a discolored brown or black color. However, most often there are no distinguishable red alerts.

How can a dentist tell if there is a cavity?

A dentist would need to probe your tooth or even take an X-ray of your teeth to find it. At some point, a cavity will begin to make itself known to you.

Can you check yourself for a cavity?

Look for any noticeable holes in your teeth.

A telltale sign that you are dealing with a cavity is if you notice any holes on the surface of your teeth. Stand in front of the mirror in your bathroom and use a small handheld mirror to thoroughly examine your mouth.

What can be mistaken for cavity?

Tooth Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth often resemble a cavity. It will feel like a tingle or tickle in your teeth at certain times. Your teeth feel sensitive due to bacteria that is thinning down your tooth enamel. Enamel protects the nerves in the teeth.

What Are The Early Signs And Symptoms Of A Cavity?

Is a brown spot always a cavity?

Although dark spots do not always indicate a cavity—they may just be surface stains—you have no real way of knowing. If you spy a black or brown spot on a tooth, your first course of action should be to schedule an appointment with a dentist.

Does a black 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.

How do you tell if you have a cavity with a toothpick?

If the spot is black, it could be a cavity, but it could also already be in the process of remineralization, aka rebuilding the enamel. If you like, you can take a toothpick and gently poke the spot. If the point of the toothpick seems to stick, the spot is a cavity.

Can you see a cavity with a flashlight?

Visible Marks

You may see black, brown, or purple discoloration on the top of your teeth when you look into your mouth with a flashlight. You may also see holes or dark spots on the top and sides of your teeth. These are all signs of tooth decay, and you should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Are small holes in teeth cavities?

Cavities are small holes in the teeth caused by decay. Several home remedies can prevent this decay or stop it before it forms a cavity. Food and bacteria buildup form a sticky film on the teeth's surface and along the gumline. The term for this is “plaque.”

Can I feel a cavity with my tongue?

Larger cavities can almost always be felt with your tongue, because of how much space they take up. Smaller to moderate areas of decay may be tucked away where your tongue can't feel them at all. Your tongue is extremely sensitive.

Can a cavity heal on its own?

However, unless a cavity is in the beginning stages of formation, it cannot heal naturally, especially for one that has broken through the dentin. When you start feeling pain in the localized tooth, it's a sign that the damage is too significant, and you should see a dentist for professional cavity treatment.

Can a cavity go away?

Cavities don't go away on their own. Cavities slowly expand to the point where they can move into the pulp and pulp chamber of your tooth, causing you pain – which could eventually lead to needing a root canal. Therefore, try to get to the dentist as soon as you notice a cavity.

Do I have a cavity or a stain?

Typically, if there is a dark spot on your tooth, chances are high that there is an invisible hole. 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.

How do you fix a cavity at home?

So, can you fix cavities at home? Unfortunately, no. Only a dentist can repair a cavity, so you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. However, you do have the power to halt the decay and prevent future damage.

How long does a cavity take to develop?

Cavities don't develop overnight. It takes weeks, months, even years for a cavity to form. In fact, most cavities take around six months to five years to develop. If a cavity is caught early enough, you can actually reverse the damage to your child's teeth.

Do small cavities need to be filled?

Do small cavities need to be filled? In general, the answer is yes. However, small fillings are very simple procedures and don't require heavy sedation or recovery time. Larger cavities will require root canals, which are larger fillings that involve removing damaged soft tissue inside the tooth.

How long can a cavity go without being filled?

Every Cavity Is Different

Some people have softer tooth enamel than others, making it easier for bacteria or acid to penetrate the tooth. On average, as a broad timeline, it can take anywhere from six months to four or five years before a cavity needs treatment.

Are cavities hard or soft?

Traditionally, the only way to tell for sure that there is a spot of tooth decay is to poke at the surface of the tooth with a sharp instrument and see if it is sticky. Clinically, tooth decay is sticky like wet hard candy.

Is a soft spot a cavity?

The first sign of a cavity is a soft spot in your tooth. Soft spots are easily detectable and reversible with a fluoride treatment. Dental sealants can help stop cavities from ever forming. Cavities are the #1 most common preventable childhood disease.

Can brushing get rid of cavities?

Fortunately, the beginning stages of a cavity can be reversed by taking steps toward good oral hygiene. During early demineralization, exposure to fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleanings can all help prevent — or even reverse — tooth decay.

What color are cavities?

Most people assume cavities are all colored black or very dark brown, so you might be surprised to learn that cavities actually come in a range of different colors and shades, from white to grey to black, and even yellow.

How long does it take for a cavity to destroy a tooth?

There's no specific timeline for how quickly a cavity can destroy a tooth. In most cases, severe damage to the tooth occurs because of years of unaddressed tooth decay. Fortunately, proper dental hygiene and regular dental checkups can save a tooth before it ever gets this bad.

Can cavities be light brown?

Light or dark brown spots on your teeth are a sign of a more progressed cavity. These spots are where your tooth's structure has started to soften & dissolve. You are most likely to see these spots on front teeth or the tops of molars. However, they can also exist between your teeth without being visible.

Can a stain look like a cavity?

Stains may resemble cavities but seem to shrink or grow rather than steadily get bigger. They may even disappear after brushing your teeth or changing your diet.