What do cavities look like

Many of you ask us, what does a cavity actually look like in your tooth? In a series on cavities, we will show you what they look like and how we fix them. In this particular case, we will show you the cavity on an X-Ray, an actual photo of one being fixed and then lastly the filling in the tooth.

The blue arrow shows the cavity. It is a dark shadow between the arrows. There is a solid white consistency with now shadows. Do you see the difference? We are open for all dental procedures, both emergency and elective. To view our extensive safety procedures and what to expect at your dental appointment, please review our guidelines.

Tooth decay is one of the most common dental conditions and can have an impact on the overall health and structure of your teeth. Tooth decay is caused by a variety of reasons, so looking for the signs and symptoms of decay can help in receiving treatment as soon as possible.

Treatment of cavities early on can prevent the decay from getting worse, causing the need for either a root canal or complete extraction. Cavities, or tooth decay, is caused when erosion has occurred to the enamel and bacteria has been allowed to infect the inner dentin.

Plaque and certain foods can eventually eat away at the sensitive enamel, making the tooth more prone to decay. Cavities can often be detected with a routine dental exam. In some cases, a dental x-ray may be needed to confirm tooth decay or to check for signs of hard-to-spot cavities.

Cavities can form on all sides and areas of a tooth and are most common on posterior back teeth, as it may be more challenging to keep those teeth clean. At first, these spots may look like simple staining and you may even assume that you just have mild tooth discoloration. However, over time, the dark spot gets larger, signaling tooth decay.

In some cases, cavities can even look like white spots or light marks on the tooth. As the decay continues to infiltrate the tooth, the dentin becomes exposed. The dentin is more porous and can cause problems with sensitivity. You may notice that your teeth feel more sensitive or that one or two teeth, in particular, have issues with sensitivity. Whenever you drink something hot or cold, you may notice a surge of pain specific to one tooth.

This may be a sign that there is a cavity present. The bacteria that is present with a cavity eventually eat into the tooth, causing small holes and pits in the enamel. When you eat sugary snacks, it helps the bacteria win the war. On the other side are saliva and fluoride. The saliva contains calcium and phosphate which helps strengthen enamel. Toothpaste, water, and fluoride rinse all contain fluoride, which replaces minerals that teeth lose during acid attacks. The mouth goes through this tug of war all day.

Sugary foods break down the minerals in the teeth, and saliva and fluoride help rebuild them. Sometimes, the bad side wins a battle or two against saliva and fluoride. When that happens, cavities start to form in the mouth.

At North Mississippi Family Dentistry, we fill your cavities. We also offer other services such as:. Need a cavity filling in Belden, MS?

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