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If you’ve recently noticed discoloration on one or more of your teeth, you might have trouble figuring out whether it’s a cavity or a stain.
Cavities and stains can make parts of your teeth appear darker. Many things that cause staining can also contribute to cavities. But a few key details can help you tell the difference between the two.
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A cavity may appear as a brown, black, or gray spot on a tooth. It may also be sticky. The size of the discolored area will likely stay the same over time.
Cavities result from bacteria feeding on sugars that enter your mouth. These bacteria create acids that dissolve the mineral content of your teeth over time. This process is known as tooth decay.
Tooth decay is likely to have other symptoms besides discoloration, especially as it progresses. Be on the lookout for issues like:
If you leave a cavity unchecked, it won’t go away. In most cases, it will slowly expand over time.
While a cavity usually appears as a discolored area or hole on the surface of a tooth, stains tend to be more evenly spread. If you notice that an entire tooth or group of teeth is a different color, you’re probably looking at a stain rather than tooth decay.
Stained teeth generally have what’s known as extrinsic discoloration. This means the stain isn’t part of the tooth and can probably be removed.
In some cases, teeth show intrinsic discoloration, which may reflect a condition you were born with, certain medications, or an injury. This type of discoloration isn’t as easy to remedy.
While stained teeth are unpleasant, they’re generally not accompanied by cavity-related pain or discomfort. Most of these causes of tooth staining are avoidable. However, prolonged poor oral hygiene can make them harder to remove.
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A cavity (or tooth decay) can sometimes look similar to a tooth stain and vice versa. Usually, you can tell the difference with a closer look.
Generally, a cavity affects a defined area of a tooth, whereas stained teeth tend to affect more than one tooth. Various foods, drinks, and habits can stain your teeth. Drinks like coffee, tea, and wine are major culprits, as is tobacco use.
Oral bacteria causes tooth decay. Cavities are damaged parts of teeth that have begun to decay.
Both tooth stains and cavities can be treated professionally. They can also both be prevented with regular oral hygiene and careful attention to diet and other oral habits.
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