Is the black spot on my tooth 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.

Are black spots on teeth always cavities?

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.

How do you tell if a black spot is a cavity?

What does a black 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.

What are black spots on teeth that aren't cavities?

These black lines on teeth are actually just a form of tartar, also called dental calculus. Tartar forms when oral plaque absorbs minerals from the saliva and essentially becomes fossilized. This buildup won't be removed by brushing or other home hygiene procedures.

A black spot on the tooth can develop into a monster

How can you tell if its a cavity or stain?

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.

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 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.

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.

What does a cavity look like when it first starts?

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 does a cavity look like?

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.

What does a rotten tooth look like?

If the process of tooth decay is allowed to continue, enamel will break down further. You may notice that a white spot on a tooth darkens to a brownish color. As enamel is weakened, small holes in your teeth called cavities, or dental caries, can form. Cavities will need to be filled by your dentist.

How can you tell the difference between a cavity and a sensitive tooth?

Tooth Sensitivity

A less obvious sign of a cavity is 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.

How long can I wait 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.

Is black tooth decay reversible?

But as of yet, it's physically impossible. Once a tooth has a physical cavity (opening or hole) inside of it, there is no feasible way to help the enamel grow back on your own. Instead, the cavity will gradually worsen, due to the bacterial infection inside of the tooth structure.

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

What are the stages of cavities?

How many cavities is normal for a 16 year old?

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

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.

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.

Can I have a cavity without pain?

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.

Can you feel a cavity?

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.

What is the difference between a cavity and tooth decay?

But the truth is that tooth decay and cavities describe two different things. Decay is a progressive tooth disease caused when enamel is compromised and the tooth is exposed to harmful oral bacteria. A cavity is the hole that forms in your tooth as the decay works its way through your tooth structure.

Do cavities turn teeth GREY?

Decay can also cut off a tooth's blood flow, making it die and go gray. Dentinogenesis imperfecta. This rare, hereditary disorder of tooth development can make baby and permanent teeth appear blue-gray. It also weakens teeth, making them prone to breakage.