Is a small brown spot a cavity?
Typically, if there is a dark spot on your tooth, chances are high that there is an invisible hole. A cavity presents itself with a brown, black or gray spot on your tooth. It is a perfect way on how to tell if you have a cavity. A stain, on the other hand, is a discoloration caused by drinks and food.
Why is there a brown dot in my mouth?
Dark spots in your mouth can be caused by a variety of things. They run from minor lesions, such as a stain from a dental filling that leaked into your gums (called an amalgam tattoo), to benign tumors of your blood vessels, such as a hemangioma. Some types of cancer can also show up as dark spots.
Are brown spots always cavities?
Dark spots on our teeth need not always be cavities. Naturally occurring dark spots caused by staining of the teeth are a common condition that very often goes undetected. Tooth discoloration is usually present in the very small pits and ridges on the surface of human teeth.
How can you tell if its a cavity or stain?
The brown, black, or grey spot on the teeth is a sign of a cavity, while the discoloration of teeth is a stain. A stain is a result of drinks and food and is not sticky. However, the cavity damages the teeth. It provides an ideal environment for bacteria and plaque to grow in the teeth, destroying them.
What is oral melanoma?
Primary malignant melanoma of the oral cavity is a rare neoplasm. The tumors tend to metastasize or locally invade tissue more readily than other malignant tumors in the oral region. The survival of patients with mucosal melanomas is less than for those with cutaneous melanomas.
Does a black dot on tooth mean cavity?
Cavity, or tooth decay: Perhaps the most common cause for a black spot on your molar teeth is tooth decay, or a cavity. A cavity forms when the build-up of plaque, which contains acids, is allowed to erode the surface enamel of a tooth. A hole in the tooth’s protective layer sometimes shows as a black dot.
Can small cavities go away?
A cavity can usually be reversed if it’s caught at the onset or early stages of the demineralization process, the first step of tooth decay. During this stage, good oral hygiene is imperative to restoring the minerals in your teeth and halting decay.
Can you fix a cavity at home?
So, can you fix cavities at home? Unfortunately, no. Only a dentist can repair a cavity, so you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. However, you do have the power to halt the decay and prevent future damage.
Can a cavity look brown?
So once decay reaches your dentin, the process of decay speeds up. As the bacteria and acids work their way through your dentin, the cavity hole gets larger. At this point, you may notice your cavity is brown or black in color. Your dentist will probably recommend a filling to stop the progress of the cavity.