What Does a Cavity Look Like? Early Signs and When to Get Checked

What does a cavity look like?

A cavity usually looks like a spot that does not match the rest of the tooth. It often starts as a small, white, chalky patch, then can darken to light brown, dark brown and finally black. As enamel breaks down, you may see a pit, a rough area or a small hole that catches food.

What does a cavity look like when it first starts?

The first sign is often a dull white spot that looks chalky rather than shiny. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research explains that this white spot shows where minerals have been lost, and it is a sign of early decay.

How does a cavity change as it gets worse?

According to Cleveland Clinic, the white spots can darken to light brown, then dark brown and eventually black. Once decay breaks through the enamel, you may see an actual hole in the tooth. At that stage, a dentist removes the decay and repairs the tooth with a tooth-colored filling.

What does a cavity look like on a molar?

On back teeth, decay often starts in the deep grooves of the chewing surface. Cleveland Clinic calls these pit and fissure cavities and notes they can get worse quickly without treatment. They may look like a dark line or speck in a groove that does not brush away.

What does a cavity look like between teeth or on the side of a tooth?

Cavities on the smooth sides of teeth can show up as a white or brown patch near the gumline. Between teeth, decay is often hidden from view, so you may only notice food catching or floss shredding in one spot.

How is a cavity different from a healthy tooth?

• Color: healthy enamel has an even shade. A cavity looks chalky white, brown or black in one spot.

• Surface: healthy enamel feels smooth and glossy. Decay can look dull, rough or pitted.

• Shape: a healthy tooth has no openings. An advanced cavity can leave a visible hole.

How do I tell if I might have a cavity?

You may have a cavity if you see a chalky white, brown or black spot, feel a rough pit with your tongue, or notice a twinge with sweets, hot or cold. But early decay usually has no symptoms, so the only reliable way to know is a dental exam, often with X-rays.

What does a cavity feel like?

Early on, it usually feels like nothing at all. As decay reaches the softer layer under the enamel, the tooth can become sensitive to hot and cold. Cleveland Clinic notes that a tooth starts to hurt when the cavity reaches the pulp, the inner part of the tooth.

Why are many cavities only found on X-rays?

Some decay sits between teeth or under the surface where no one can see it. During an exam, a dentist checks for soft or sticky areas and may take X-rays, which can show decay that is not visible yet. On an X-ray, a dentist looks for areas inside the tooth that look different from healthy enamel.

Want this checked? A quick exam can tell you whether that spot is early decay you can stop or a cavity that needs care. Book a visit online or call (770) 863-0005.

Can a cavity heal on its own?

A true cavity, meaning a hole in the tooth, cannot heal on its own. Very early decay is different. While it is still a white spot, enamel can rebuild with minerals from saliva and fluoride, and NIDCR says decay can be stopped or reversed at that point. Once enamel breaks down into a hole, it needs a filling.

What helps early decay?

Fluoride is the main tool. NIDCR lists fluoride toothpaste, fluoridated tap water and fluoride from a dentist or hygienist as ways to help stop or reverse early decay. You can read more in our post on whether tooth enamel can grow back, and see our guide on white spots on teeth, since not every white spot is decay.

How long does it take for a cavity to form?

There is no set timeline. A cavity forms as plaque bacteria turn sugar and starch into acid, and that acid slowly pulls minerals out of enamel over and over. How fast this happens depends on how often you eat or sip sugary foods, how well you remove plaque, and how much fluoride your teeth get.

The American Dental Association explains that sticky plaque keeps these acids against your teeth, and over time the enamel can break down. Cleveland Clinic notes that once decay reaches the softer dentin layer, it tends to move faster.

Is it normal for a 20 year old to have cavities?

Yes, cavities are common in young adults. Anyone with teeth can get them. The CDC reports that about 1 in 5 adults ages 20 to 64 has at least one untreated cavity. Common does not mean harmless, though, so a new spot is still worth checking.

What does a cavity look like without filling?

A cavity that is not filled usually keeps growing. The spot can get darker and the hole larger as decay moves from enamel into dentin and then toward the pulp. Cleveland Clinic describes later stages with dark or black spots, pain and gum swelling, and in time an abscess, a pocket of pus at the root.

What does a cavity filling look like?

A tooth-colored filling is shaded to blend in with the natural tooth, so most people will not notice it when you smile. To learn how long they hold up, see how long fillings last.

When is it urgent?

Call the office if you have a toothache that will not go away, a broken tooth, or swelling in your gums or face. Go to the ER or call 911 if you have swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, a high fever, or swelling that spreads to your eye, face or neck.