Cavities are a common problem that many people have with their teeth. Knowing what a cavity looks like, how it starts, and how to stop and fix it can help you keep your teeth healthy. This guide will explain all about cavities, including how they form, how to recognize them, and what you can do to prevent and treat them. By understanding cavities better, you can take steps to avoid them and keep your smile strong and healthy.
A cavity, also called tooth decay or dental caries, is a hole that forms in your tooth. Cavities happen because of bacteria in your mouth that make acid. This acid slowly eats away at the hard outer layer of your tooth called enamel, and can also damage the layer underneath called dentin. If you don’t treat cavities, they can get bigger and cause serious problems for your teeth, like pain, infections, and even tooth loss.
Cavities can look different based on where they are and how serious they are. They usually start very small and can be hard to see without a dentist’s help. At first, a cavity might look like a tiny white spot on your tooth. As it gets worse, it can turn brown or black. Cavities can also look like small holes or pits in your teeth. It’s important to visit your dentist regularly so they can find and treat cavities before they become a bigger problem.
When a cavity is just beginning, it might look like a small white spot on the surface of your tooth. This white spot shows that the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of your tooth, is starting to break down. This process is called demineralization and is the first step in tooth decay. If the cavity isn’t treated at this stage, the white spot can turn brown or black as the decay gets worse. Catching cavities early is important because it’s easier to treat them before they cause more damage.
A cavity on the side of a tooth can look like a dark or discolored spot. Sometimes, it might even look like a small hole or pit in the tooth. These side cavities can be harder to see without a dentist’s special tools, so they might go unnoticed until they get bigger. It’s important to have regular dental check-ups so your dentist can find and treat these cavities before they cause more serious problems.
Cavities on the front teeth are usually easier to see. They might show up as brown or black spots or lines on the front surface of the tooth. You might notice these spots when you look in the mirror. Besides the visible spots, a cavity on a front tooth can make the tooth more sensitive. This means it might hurt or feel uncomfortable when you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet. Front tooth cavities can affect your smile and cause discomfort, so it’s important to see a dentist if you notice any changes.
Cavities between teeth, also called interproximal cavities, are usually the hardest to spot. They often don’t show up when you look in the mirror. Instead, they might look like small shadows or dark spots on dental X-rays. Dentists use these X-rays to find cavities between teeth early, before they cause too much damage. Regular dental check-ups with X-rays are important because they help the dentist catch these hidden cavities and treat them before they become bigger problems.
Cavities happen because of several things that damage the hard outer layer of your teeth, called enamel. Here are the main reasons.
Not brushing and flossing your teeth well enough, letting plaque buildup on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria. These bacteria make acid that eats away at your tooth enamel, causing cavities.
Eating and drinking a lot of sugary and acidic things, like candy, soda, and juice, feeds the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria then produce more acid, which harms your teeth and creates cavities.
Saliva helps protect your teeth by washing away food particles and neutralizing acids. If you have a dry mouth, you don’t produce enough saliva, which increases your risk of getting cavities.
Eating snacks all the time, especially sugary ones, keeps giving the bacteria in your mouth something to eat. This makes them produce acid constantly, which can lead to cavities.
Fluoride is a mineral that helps make your tooth enamel stronger and less likely to decay. If you don’t use fluoride toothpaste or drink water that has fluoride, your teeth are more at risk of getting cavities.
Some teeth have deep grooves, pits, or cracks where food and bacteria can get stuck. These areas are harder to clean and more likely to develop cavities.
Finding a cavity early can stop it from getting worse. Here are some signs to watch for.
If you have a constant toothache or feel pain when you bite down, it might mean you have a cavity. The pain can be sharp or feel like a throbbing ache.
If your tooth becomes more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, it could be a sign of a cavity. You might feel a sudden, sharp pain when you eat or drink something hot or cold.
Cavities can cause small holes or pits in your teeth. These holes might be hard to see without a dentist’s help, but sometimes you can see them if you look closely in the mirror.
Cavities can cause your teeth to develop brown, black, or white spots. These spots might be easy to see on the surface of your teeth.
If you have bad breath that doesn’t go away or a bad taste in your mouth, it could be because of bacteria and decay from a cavity.
Fixing cavities quickly can help save your tooth and stop other problems. Here are the common ways to treat them.
Fillings are the most common way to treat cavities. The dentist will clean out the part of your tooth that is decayed and then fill the empty space with a special material. This material can be composite resin (a tooth-colored material), amalgam (a silver-colored material), or gold.
If the cavity is very large or has made the tooth weak, a crown might be needed. The dentist will remove the decayed part of the tooth and place a custom-made crown over the entire tooth. The crown looks like a natural tooth and helps protect and strengthen it.
If the decay has reached the inner part of the tooth called the pulp, you might need a root canal. During this procedure, the dentist will remove the infected pulp, clean the inside of the tooth, and then seal it. This helps save the tooth and keeps it healthy.
For early cavities that haven’t caused a lot of damage yet, fluoride treatments can be helpful. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and can sometimes stop or even reverse early decay.
Yes, you can prevent cavities by taking good care of your teeth and making healthy choices. Here are some simple tips to help you.
At Brush365, our skilled dentists are here to help you keep your teeth healthy. We provide a full range of dental services to detect, treat, and prevent cavities. If you’re worried about cavities or just want to make sure your teeth are in good shape, book an appointment with us. We’ll help you keep your smile bright and cavity-free.
No, cavities won’t disappear by themselves. If you don’t get them treated, they can get worse and cause bigger dental problems.
To fix a cavity, dentists usually use fillings, crowns, or root canals. The type of treatment depends on how serious the cavity is.
A starting cavity might look like a small white spot on your tooth. This spot means the enamel is beginning to break down.
Cavities are a common issue, but with good care and regular dentist visits, they can be prevented and treated effectively. Knowing what a cavity looks like and spotting the signs early can help you keep your teeth healthy. If you think you have a cavity or want to know more about preventing them, come to Brush365 for expert dental care.
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.
