Knowing whether you have a cavity or a tooth stain is important for keeping your teeth healthy. Both can change how your teeth look and may affect your dental health, but they have different causes and treatments. Hence, this guide will help you understand the difference between cavity vs stain and what steps you should take.
A cavity, also called dental caries or tooth decay, is a hole in the hard surface of your teeth. It starts when acids from bacteria in your mouth weaken the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. Over time, these acids wear away the enamel and create a hole. If not treated, cavities can grow and reach deeper layers of the tooth, which might cause pain and infection.
Cavities are formed through a process called demineralization. Here’s a simplified explanation of how it happens.
Tooth decay can manifest in several ways. Common symptoms include the following.
Tooth stains are changes in the color of your teeth. Unlike cavities, stains don’t damage the tooth itself but make the teeth look different. Stains can be of two main types.
Tooth stains can come from different sources:
Sometimes it can be hard to know if a spot on your tooth is a stain or a cavity. Here’s how you can tell:
Tooth stains don’t turn into cavities. However, if you don’t take care of your teeth properly, the plaque that causes stains can also lead to cavities. So, while stains won’t become cavities, not brushing and flossing can cause both stains and cavities.
Not always. A tooth stain usually means the tooth’s surface is discolored, while a cavity means there’s damage inside the tooth. Poor oral hygiene can lead to both stains and cavities.
No, brushing alone can’t remove a cavity. Cavities need professional dental care to clean out the decay and fix the tooth.
Not necessarily. A brown spot could be a stain or early tooth decay. If there’s no hole and no pain, it’s likely a stain. If there’s a hole or pain, it might be a cavity.
A black stain might be a sign of decay, but it could also just be a stain. A dentist can check if it’s a cavity or just a stain.
Knowing the difference between a cavity vs stain is important for keeping your teeth healthy. Stains mainly affect the look of your teeth and can often be treated with professional cleaning and whitening. Cavities are more serious and need professional dental care to fix. Regular checkups at a place like Brush365 and good oral hygiene can help prevent both issues. If you’re unsure whether you have a stain or a cavity, a dentist near you can provide the right advice and treatment.
My name is Dr. Sara Mahmood, and I am the proud founder and owner of brush365. Since 2017, I have been on a mission to create a brand that deeply reflects our tagline and promises to provide “Dentistry with Integrity.” I am extremely passionate about high-quality dental care. Since graduating from dental school in 2015, I have completed over 2,000 hours of continuing education, ensuring I am providing the best dentistry to my patients and guaranteeing that my team of doctors meets a very high standard of clinical excellence.
