What do Cavities Look like:Early Signs And Symptoms

What do Cavities Look like? Of course, no one wants to hear her or his dentist say that he or she is developing a cavity in a tooth. I guess if it is our choice we would like to live with health and good teeth all our lifetime to enjoy all our favorite and new meals out there.

It is so unfortunate that if someone is not keen may not know that he or she has a tooth cavity until you start developing signs and symptoms which are impossible to eventually ignore.

what does a cavity look like on a tooth

However, to avoid tooth filling and severe destructions learn to take care of your teeth and also watch the early symptoms of small cavities. In this case, allow me to take you through a comprehensive guide to help you understand how small cavities look like.

What is cavity or tooth decay?

A cavity is such a small hole that develops in our teeth as a result of tooth decay. Generally, tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth’s outer layer. This destruction tends to expose our inner teeth and when left untreated may lead to severe destruction or even losing teeth.

It is even possible to have one, two, or more cavities in one teeth and can form anywhere on your teeth. Some of good news is that regular flossing and brushing your teeth most probably after meals, realizing early signs of cavities may help reduce risk of developing worse cavities.

What does a cavity look like?

Based on the dental expert’s review, teeth cavities tend to greatly vary in appearance. In some cases, cavities might appear similar to small holes dark or chips on the teeth. Generally, these holes may be too tiny as the dots or preferably large as the whole tooth. And sometimes appear yellow, brown or black.

What you should keep in mind is that not every tooth cavity seems to be big for individuals to notice with naked eyes. However, the dentists have modern and high e-rays to eventually find the small cavities. The thing is that, because someone is not seeing a tooth cavity does not mean it is not there.

How does small cavity form?

what does a cavity look like on an x ray

At this point, you have a clue on how small cavities look like. Now you need to know about how they eventually form. Generally, the procedure begins whenever the acid wears down tooth enamel or protective coating.

The more often your teeth deal with this acid, the sooner small cavities start forming. For example, drinks or foods which contain sugars and starches may lead to cavities. With some time, acid breaks down your tooth enamel around the patient’s teeth where white spots begin appearing.

Further, the white spot means your tooth has eventually lost a significant about of the protective minerals. The good news is that individuals can also reverse or stop tooth decay before it worsens. Your tooth enamel can be repaired utilizing minerals in fluoride and saliva.

When we drink and eat we are not only feeding the body. But our mouth is also filled with naturally occurring bacteria meaning when we drink or eat we still feed those bacteria.

So, when drink and food particles are stuck or remain between our teeth, these mouth bacteria feed on them and when this happens, create a very clear sticky film called plaque.

Thus, when someone has a plaque on his teeth, it tends to harden to a substance call calculus or tartar and may occur in your gum line. Overall, plaque is acidic and operates removing necessary minerals in your tooth enamel.

While small cavities might happen anywhere on our teeth, below are areas that are more prone to cavity development:

Areas that are more prone to cavity

  1. Between your teeth- The food particles may easily get trapped between your teeth increasing risk of the bacteria growth. And is one specific reason flossing and brushing often is essential.
  2. Chewing surfaces of molars- Generally, these surfaces got crevices and grooves that may trap some food particles increasing risk of the bacteria growth.
  3. Near gum surface- Near gumline at teeth bottom is prone areas where bacterial can still collect.

What does the beginning of a small cavity look like?


Gingivitis which is a result of inflammation of your gums it a common cause of cavities and decay. You may begin noticing your section of tooth gumline is a bit little tender or your tooth becoming a little ache.

Thus, these are the first signs that your body is warning you small cavity is developing. Second, you may notice some white spots on the teeth and this is a symptom that the tooth may be losing essential minerals which keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Can someone reverse small developing cavities?

Based, on the dental experts we cannot heal or reverse the cavity per se. The good news is that we can halt the major issue of tooth decay and reverse it.

Generally, if the teeth are possibly losing minerals, someone can take some top steps to stop decaying to the enamel be strengthened and reversed to health even before the cavity develops. Basically, this typically comprises you removing debris such as food particles which may be remaining on the teeth most probably after meals.

How to stop tooth decay from spreading: The possible ways to prevent

  • Limit sugary foods that you eat
  • Floss the teeth each day
  • Drink some of the fluoridated water each day
  • Chew the sugar-free gum to lower bacterial which leads to cavities
  • Talk to the dentist when you have the dry mouth because it may lead to tooth decay

Final verdict on What cavities Look like

While small cavities are a major dental concern, the good news is that their top tips we can do to eventually reduce the risk of small cavity development. The first is to know early signs of how small cavities look like and how they start and this will help you get early treatment. We would encourage dental, exams, regular dental care, and fluoride treatments to eventually lower the risk of tooth cavities.

Author

  • Kathie Miller

    Kathie Miller has extensive experience editing consumer health information. Her training in particular has focused on how to best share evidence-based medical guidelines and clinical trial results to the public eye. She strives to make health content accurate, accessible, and engaging to our readers.

    View all posts
Scroll to Top