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.

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 are small cavities treated?

Very small cavities limited to the enamel, which we call “decalcification,” can be reversed with good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing) and use of fluoride mouthrinse and toothpaste. Your dentist may also recommend a fluoride varnish, which is a sticky fluoride substance applied to your teeth in the office.

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.

What does a small cavity mean?

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.

A black spot on the tooth can develop into a monster

Can a small cavity be deep?

This cavity starts small, but it can continue to grow if it is left untreated. When you procrastinate scheduling a dental appointment, the tooth continues to decay. As a result, the hole moves deeper into the tooth. Eventually, it will get deep enough that a root canal is needed.

Do small cavity fillings hurt?

Q: Is it painful to have cavity fillings? No. Your dentist will numb the area and use a numbing gel before injecting a local anesthetic known as Lidocaine. You may feel a bit of a sting, but that's a reaction from the local anesthetic when it starts to block the nerve signals to stop the pain.

Are small cavities common?

2 in 5 children have at least one cavity by the time they go to kindergarten, and these signs are a good indication that your child may have one. You may be left wondering; can a small cavity go away? Waiting for the cavity to grow deeper into the nerve is risky.

Do cavities look like black dots?

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 reverse small cavities?

Yes, you can reverse cavities – at least ones that are small. Decay starts with a reduction in the enamel's hard mineral content (this is called demineralization). Once the enamel is weakened enough, and the process moves into the softer dentin, just under the enamel, a hole can start to form, and you have a cavity.

Can you brush cavities away?

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 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.

Can brushing stop a cavity?

Brushing Helps Get Rid of Bacteria!

Because of the huge bacteria and plaque fighting power it provides in just a few minutes a day, brushing your teeth is one of the simplest, yet most effective ways to prevent cavities. Be sure to brush after meals and before bed.

Do all cavities require fillings?

In short, the answer is no. Dental fillings are used to treat cavities because a dentist tends to want to remove the decayed part (the cavity) and fill it to stop any further damage from occurring. While there aren't ways to remove a cavity without using a filling, there are ways almost to reverse the decay.

Is a hole in tooth always a cavity?

Visible Holes

Cavities often take the form of small holes on the surfaces of your teeth. If you can physically see a hole has formed in or on your tooth, you probably have a cavity. Even if the hole is not a cavity yet, having an opening in the enamel of your tooth gives bacteria a way to enter and cause tooth decay.

Are cavities always black?

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 fast do cavities grow?

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.

Is a brown spot on tooth a cavity?

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.

Can you 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.

How do you stop small cavities from growing?

Do fillings last forever?

A filling is used to treat an area of decay. It stops it from spreading and restores the tooth's strength. Although a filling will last for several years, it won't last forever.

Does a cavity keep growing?

Cavities spawned by acid-generating bacteria will only continue to expand if surrounded by the acid in sugar. If you have a craving for something sugary, rinse out your mouth with water immediately after indulging. If possible, clean your teeth with floss and toothpaste in an attempt to slow the rate of tooth decay.

How long does it take to fill a small cavity?

How long does it take to get a filling? In general, a filling takes an hour or less. A simple filling may take as few as 20 minutes. Many dental offices now have the technology to make onlays and inlays in one appointment, though a larger filling or multiple fillings can take longer.

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.

How long does a small filling take?

From start to finish, small fillings typically take 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Deeper or multiple cavities take longer to fill. Here's the typical procedure you can expect for a filling: Your dentist will dry the area, then they'll administer a numbing gel.