Is it a stain or 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.

Can stain be mistaken for cavity?

A tooth stain and cavity can look similar, but they're not the same. Although a cavity can cause a tooth stain, discoloration is often due to food and lifestyle habits. Making a few adjustments can help reduce discoloration as well as the onset of cavities.

What is the difference between a tooth stain and cavity?

Although differentiation is difficult, a cavity and stain are two different things. Merely explaining, a cavity is a spot on the tooth that may be sticky while a stain is due to the beverages or food we eat. Eating sugary and starchy food can cause tooth stains, leading to decays.

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.

What does a cavity stain look like?

The dark spots appear when bacteria destroys tooth enamel, which is the tough protective layer covering the teeth. Holes in the enamel can take on a dark appearance. Stains, by comparison, can be almost any color, including brown, yellow, black, or even orange, purple, or red.

Is This a Stain or a Cavity?

What does the beginning of a cavity 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.

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.

Is a small black dot a 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.

What is the brown stain on my teeth?

Tartar Buildup

The tartar itself is porous and is highly susceptible to discoloration and staining. Foods, beverages, and other factors can turn it a noticeable brown color as a result. The buildup of tartar on and between teeth is often the result of a lack of brushing and flossing on a regular basis.

What color is a cavity?

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.

Is a grey spot on tooth a cavity?

If you notice a black, brown, white or gray spot on your tooth, you may have a cavity. These soft spots in the enamel of the tooth indicate an infection has taken hold. If you notice a spot on your teeth but don't yet feel pain, make an appointment with the dentist immediately — don't wait until pain starts.

Are black lines on teeth cavities?

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.

Are cavities brown or black?

Generally speaking, a dental cavity (also called tooth decay) can range in color from white to brown and eventually black as the cavity continues to grow. The shape of a cavity is organic and changes as the cavity grows in width and depth.

Why are my teeth suddenly staining?

Food & Drink: Coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wine, and even a few fruits and vegetables are proven causes of discolored teeth. Tobacco: Both cigarettes and chewing tobacco can contribute to discolored teeth. Oral Care: Poor dental hygiene, such as inadequate brushing or flossing, can lead to tooth discoloration.

Can a dentist remove brown stains on teeth?

For permanent or stubborn brown spots on the teeth a dentist may be able to hide discolorations, or prevent further discoloration, with: white composite fillings. veneers. crowns.

Can a hygienist remove brown stains?

Your hygienist will professionally clean your teeth, removing all traces of plaque, giving your teeth a brighter appearance. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment that removes stains and gives your smile a boost.

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.

How can you tell cavity?

Can a small cavity go away?

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.

How can you tell if you have a cavity at home?

Does white spot mean cavity?

A white spot can be a sign of tooth decay when the enamel surface of teeth is so damaged that the dentin layer of tooth structure is exposed to harmful oral bacteria in the mouth. Dentin is a soft, very white part of tooth structure. When enamel is damaged, its white color will be more visible.

Why is my tooth slightly grey?

When a single tooth changes to become grey in color, you may have a condition known as a necrotic pulp. The pulp is the collection of nerves and blood vessels residing within the hollow chamber of each tooth. It is this pulp tissue that “dies” and most often causes color changes.

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.

Are cavities visible to the eye?

Cavities that have been left untreated for a long duration of time can usually become visible to the naked eye. This can look like a dark or light brown spot on your tooth where the structure has begun to dissolve and soften. You might find these spots between your teeth or, more likely, on the tops of your molars.

What is the black stuff on my teeth?

Tartar. Tartar is a hard deposit of plaque that can build up on the teeth and usually appears below the gum line. Some forms of tartar are black.