Yes, a tooth stain can be mistaken for a cavity because both can look similar. However, a cavity can also cause a tooth stain.
Cavities and stains both cause tooth discoloration, so it can be easy to confuse the two. Generally, cavities are darker in color compared to stains. Additionally, stains tend to affect several teeth. But if you see one tiny spot on one tooth, chances are it's a cavity.
The answer is yes, there is always the potential to under or over diagnose a cavity. The chances of this happening are rare and depend on a number of factors.
The reason patients typically don't experience pain with simple cavities is because there is no nerve supply in enamel or dentin. We always strive to stop cavities while they are still small and manageable!
The reasons can be many, like the spaces between teeth that easily trap food, consuming too much cavity-causing foods and beverages, avoiding regular professional-level cleanings and checkups, etc.
Some dentists use laser technology instead of X-rays to locate and identify cavities. Previous FAQWhat is the average cost for orthodontic braces?
Limitations of Dental X-Rays
First, your cavity may be so small it did not show up on your dental x-rays. A very small cavity has not yet caused enough damage to be visible through x-ray technology. Secondly, your cavity could be hiding behind an existing filling.
The Newest Method of Detecting Cavities
The CariVu works by hugging each tooth and bathing it in infrared light. This makes the tooth enamel appear transparent while areas of decay absorb the light and appear darker. In many cases, the CariVu can diagnose cavities before they are seen on x-ray images.
Is it possible to reverse a cavity that's already formed? There is some evidence suggesting that cavities in their early stages can be reversed. Unfortunately, if you've gotten to the stage where you already feel pain, it's probably too late for that to happen.
Cavity, or tooth decay: Perhaps the most common cause for a black spot on your molar teeth is tooth decay, or a cavity.
When people do start to experience symptoms of a cavity, those can include: Toothache. Cavity pain may feel like an ache in your tooth that comes and goes randomly, or it may be a constant ache. For some, cavity pain may only be felt when eating or biting down.
Cavity Pain
As the decay progresses, you may feel a continuous toothache, or sharper occasional pains that don't appear to have an obvious cause. Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks is another common symptom.
Another visible sign of a cavity can be tooth discoloration. A spot or stain on a tooth that appears bright white, brown or black could be another cavity symptom due to decay. Although it could be a natural stain, have a dentist check it out if you're concerned.
Both stains and cavities share similarities in colour and can be white, brown and black. White marks tend to signal a cavity is beginning to form and grey marks indicate a cavity has developed. While, yellow marks are usually stains or discolouration from food residue or tobacco use.
First, a cavity can only be seen on an x-ray once it has dissolved 20-30% of the tooth structure so it may not have been obvious last visit. And cavities can grow fast on some patients! Second, some teeth have rotations and malalignments that cause cavities to be very elusive from standard x-ray positions.
If the decay reaches your tooth's main structure, called dentin, then a filling can replace the lost tooth structure after your dentist has cleaned the cavity of bacteria and infection. However, if it reaches the tooth's center chamber, called the pulp, a filling may no longer suffice to address it.
Not quite. There could be tiny, hidden cavities that your dentist can't see during the traditional “pick” and x-ray exams. Left untreated, these cavities could turn into painful problems that can leave a hefty dent in your wallet.
From the surface, all that you can see is a little tiny dark spot. If you look carefully, you can see that the appearance of the white of the tooth surrounding this dark area is ever so slightly cloudier than the rest of the tooth. This can also be an indicator of hidden caries.
Fillings. Fillings, also called restorations, are the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest stage. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain or dental amalgam that is a combination of several materials. Crowns.
If you think you have a cavity under your filling, it is important to see a dentist right away so the issue does not worsen. The dentist will be the only one to ensure that you are dealing with a cavity or not. The dentist will take an X-Ray of your teeth to spot the cavity and replace the filling.
Brush the Tooth With Care
Brushing will also help prevent the formation of even more cavities. Zero in on the cavity as you brush to eliminate any remaining food particles from your snack or meal. This thorough brushing can help hinder the cavity's progression.
People with chronic stress are more prone to tooth decay.
For starters, people tend to make poor choices regarding their health during times of stress. This includes eating unhealthy foods—particularly starchy and sugary foods that often lead to tooth decay—and paying less attention to your hygiene routines.
The advice you got as a kid — brush your teeth, floss, eat less candy — is still important. But it's becoming more clear that the types of bacteria inhabiting your mouth matter, too. Some people do all the oral hygiene stuff right and still get cavities because of the bacteria living in their mouths.