Not sure whether you have a tooth cavity or just a stain on your tooth? It can be tricky to tell the difference, especially in the early stages or when the discolouration has significantly differed from its original colour. However, there are a few distinguishing factors that can help you differentiate between the two.

Teeth stains can be reversed, whereas cavities cannot. Before you look for a professional dentist in Canberra, it might help to understand first the difference between a cavity and a stain. In this article, we will outline their differences along with the available treatments, good oral hygiene practices, and other ways on how to remove cavity stains.

How do you tell if it’s a cavity or stain?

Cavities and stains often look similar as they develop. However, you can tell the main difference between these two in terms of their appearance, the damage caused, and how far the stain has spread to the teeth.

Appearance

A cavity, also called tooth decay, is a permanently damaged area on the surface of your tooth that can become bigger and deeper in time and may create visible holes in your tooth. This may also be accompanied by tooth pain or sensitivity.

On the other hand, a tooth stain is only a discolouration caused by certain foods and drinks. They may vary from yellow, brown or even black spots but they don’t cause visible holes around the teeth.

Damage

While teeth stains tend to look darker or more discoloured, they are reversible and are not actually damaging your teeth in any way. On the other hand, cavities are more serious and can cause permanent damage to your teeth when left untreated.

tooth decay

Specific Areas

If you notice that the discoloration affects your entire tooth or its neighbouring teeth, then it could most likely be a stain. Alternatively, a spot on a single tooth or multiple spots on adjacent teeth, exhibiting colours such as brown, black, or grey, is often indicative of a cavity or tooth decay.

 

Is a dark spot on a tooth always a cavity?

Not all dark spots on the teeth always indicate cavities. While it may seem alarming to experience tooth discolouration, you can easily identify whether the dark spot or the brown stain is something to worry about. Both stains and cavities can appear as dark brown spots on your teeth. But unlike cavities that trigger sensitivity and throbbing toothaches, tooth stains are not painful. Besides, cavities are also distinctive because of their deformed shape and rough texture which is opposite to tooth stains that are typically smooth.

Some other factors that may cause dark spots include:

Fluorosis

Fluorosis occurs when there is an excessive intake of fluoride during the developmental stage of teeth beneath the gum line, which can lead to the formation of brown pits on the back molars, as well as in the tooth enamel.

Tartar

Tartar is a hard substance that results when plaque builds up on the teeth. It usually forms close to the gum line and makes the teeth look brown or yellow.

Ageing

As we age, the enamel protecting our teeth gradually wears away, leading to the emergence of yellowish-brown spots on the teeth, caused by the exposure of underlying layers.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease can impede the proper development of the tooth enamel, causing it to become translucent with white, brown, or yellow spots on the teeth.

Do stains become cavities?

If you are concerned whether your tooth stain may turn into a cavity or affect your oral health in some way, you might want to go to a professional dentist for a check-up. But generally speaking, a tooth stain is not harmful unless it is left untreated.

A tooth stain often develops as a result of eating sugary foods and drinking sugary beverages that can stain our teeth, such as coffee, tea or wine. Despite the discolouration, this type of stain is usually harmless and can be removed with whitening toothpaste or by undergoing a professional whitening procedure.

Can cavity stains be removed?

Tooth stains or surface stains can usually be removed with over-the-counter whitening products. But for more serious cavities and stains, professional dental treatment may be necessary. Here are some ways on how you can remove a tooth stain.

tooth stains and cavities

Brushing

Most surface stains can be removed simply by toothbrushing. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day to see results faster. If the stain has not yet penetrated, flossing your teeth can also help prevent food particles from building up in the crevices of your teeth.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are custom-designed shells that are placed by dentists on the front surface of the teeth to enhance their aesthetic appeal. They are helpful for individuals who have tooth stains or tooth discoloration since they serve as a camouflage for teeth that are stained, chipped, or uneven.

Dental veneers are custom-designed shells that dentists attach to the front of teeth to improve their appearance. They are particularly effective at concealing the teeth of individuals who suffer from tooth discoloration or tooth stains as well as uneven or chipped teeth.

Professional Whitening Treatments

Whitening treatments such as over-the-counter whitening toothpaste or whitening strips can all help remove surface stains. But if you have more serious cavities and stains, you may need to undergo professional dental treatments for deep cleaning as well as to whiten or restore your teeth’s original shade.

Cavity Treatments

Intrinsic stains are located within the tooth, which means that they cannot easily be removed with over-the-counter whitening products. To treat cavities and remove teeth stains, visit your dentist for professional cavity treatment and teeth whitening.

Is a yellow stain a cavity?

Cavities come in different shades and colours. In fact, our teeth have four natural shades which change depending on the type of cavity and how deep it is. However, although yellow stains are not necessarily cavities, they might at some point develop into one.

Yellow stains on the teeth often occur after the first stage of demineralization, where the cavity has already developed but can still be reversed through brushing and flossing. After this stage, the tooth enamel starts to decay and tooth discoloration starts to become visible. Either your teeth become yellow or grey, this is a clear indication that your enamel is breaking down to the point that your dentin has already been exposed.

woman with tooth stains

Can tooth stains look like cavities?

Tooth stains may resemble developing cavities but it doesn’t always mean that you have one. At times, it might even be hard to tell the difference. It’s important to pay close attention to how deep the stained area is and if it’s actually a sign of an increased risk of tooth decay. Tooth stains can typically be found in areas that are difficult to brush such as the back teeth, between your teeth and near the gum line.

If you find a dark spot on one of these areas and you are not sure how to identify it, it’s best to get checked by a dentist right away as it could be an early sign of tooth decay or cavity formation.

 

Is tooth discoloration always a cavity?

Not all tooth discoloration is necessarily an indication of tooth decay or a cavity. However, it can be a sign of poor oral hygiene. If your tooth discoloration is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or bad breath, you need to visit your dentist right away to determine the cause.

In some cases, a surface stain in the tooth might be due to the following:

  • smoking or chewing tobacco
  • enamel erosion
  • too much fluoride
  • certain medications or antibiotics
  • tartar buildup

What can be mistaken for a cavity?

Tooth sensitivity is often mistaken as tooth decay or a cavity due to similar symptoms, which often include heightened pain that may affect the entire tooth when consuming hot or cold foods and drinks.

When the enamel starts to wear off, it can cause the nerves underneath to be exposed and become sensitive to sugary and acidic foods. However, with tooth sensitivity, it can usually be fixed with fluoride toothpaste. But if the sensitivity doesn’t go away, it might indicate a cavity or tooth decay.

 

Takeaway

People often confuse cavities with tooth stains. Although these two may look similar, they are different in many ways. Cavities represent a type of tooth decay that necessitates prompt treatment from a dental professional. Conversely, tooth discoloration is generally harmless and can be effectively addressed using whitening products.

As soon as you notice that the stains in your teeth indicate symptoms of cavities, seek dental assistance immediately. When it comes to your oral health, it is always better to detect and address the issue at an early stage. If left untreated, cavities can become severe and cause pain, infection, and tooth loss.

Aside from practising good oral hygiene, it is strongly advised to schedule regular dental cleanings and check-ups every six months to prevent both minor and major dental problems from developing in the long run.