Is it a cavity if it doesn't hurt?

Since the enamel is the outermost strongest, thickest layer of the tooth, many patients do not normally report any pain when the cavity is in the early phase of tooth decay. In fact, once the patient starts to have hot or cold sensitivity and/or pain, this is an indicator that the decay has spread much deeper.

Can I have a cavity if it doesn't hurt?

It's possible for the tooth decay to wear down the enamel without causing any noticeable pain. As the decay process progresses though, the decay can reach the dentin, which is one of the inner layers of the tooth. Dentin is much softer than enamel and contains pathways to the nerve of the tooth.

How do you tell whether or not you have 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.

Can a cavity heal itself?

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.

If I Have A Cavity Why Doesn't The Tooth Hurt

Do I need a filling if no pain?

In short, yes. If your dentist tells you that you need a filling, then apparently you do. Whether you are in pain or not has no bearing.

What does a starting 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 do I know I need a filling?

Can I wait 6 months to fill a cavity?

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 my teeth rotting?

Tooth decay may not cause any pain. However, if you have dental caries you might have: 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.

How many fillings is normal?

Pretty much everyone gets a cavity or two in their lifetime, even with good dental hygiene. The average American adult has three fillings.

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 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.

Can you reverse an early cavity?

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 is a small cavity?

Dental cavities, or caries, are tiny holes in the hard surface of the teeth. They are caused by bacteria on the surface of teeth creating acid out of sugar. The most common culprit is a bacterium known as Streptococcus mutans.

How can I fix cavities naturally?

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.

Are black dots on teeth cavities?

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 does a cavity feel?

What Does a Cavity Feel Like? Your tooth enamel doesn't have any nerve endings, so if the decay is just on the surface you might not feel anything. If the damage gets down through the enamel, deeper into the inner layer or dentin, you're more likely to: Feel a toothache or feel pain when eating, drinking or biting down.

Is it a stain or a cavity?

Or is the entire tooth discolored? When discoloration affects an entire tooth or surrounding teeth, it's more likely a stain. On the other hand, a single spot on your tooth or spots on your surrounding teeth in the following colors can often indicate a cavity: brown.

Can brushing stop a cavity?

For all the good brushing does, it will not eliminate the cavity. The bottom line is you do not have the power to stop your cavity from growing. Your cavity will gradually expand to the point that it moves into the pulp chamber and spurs pain. If the cavity reaches the pulp of the tooth, it will require a root canal.

Can a small tooth cavity heal itself?

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.

What are the stages of cavities?

What age does tooth decay start?

Chalky teeth and risk for tooth decay

Because these teeth are weaker, they have a much higher risk of tooth decay. Both the baby molars (which come through at around age two), and the permanent adult molars (which come through at around six years of age), can be affected.

How many cavities is normal for a 17 year old?

Adolescents 12 to 19 have an average of 0.54 decayed or missing permanent teeth and 1.03 decayed permanent surfaces.