What Does a Cavity Look Like

No one wants to get a cavity, but it happens. If decay is attacking your teeth, it is important to have a dentist take care of it right away. The further a cavity grows into your tooth, the more potential complications it can cause, making the repair more difficult and expensive. At All Smiles Dentistry,   we have taken care of lots of teeth  and seen cavities in every stage, from tiny to tremendous.

If you can catch a cavity before it gets too far, it will be much quicker and easier to fix. The best way to identify cavities is with a professional dental exam, but if you know what to look for, you may catch the signs that one is forming before your next cleaning. Here are a few issues to be aware of.

Sometimes you can detect signs of a cavity without seeing it, which is a good thing since it is very hard to examine your own teeth. Be sure to pay attention to these signs for early detection.

As decay creeps closer to the fine nerve endings in your tooth, it will start to damage them, causing sensitivity. You may feel these zings of pain from something as simple as brushing your teeth or inhaling cold air through your mouth. Gum problems can also cause tooth sensitivity, so it is always worth your time and health to get it looked at as soon as possible.

If it hurts when you eat or drink, this could be another indication of a cavity. This pain could be caused by sensitivity to temperature, where hot or cold food or drink causes pain. It can also be triggered by sweet or acidic food. You may have a cavity if it suddenly starts hurting when you eat.

If it is not repaired, every cavity will eventually cause pain. When the decay gets deep enough, it exposes tender nerves, causing damage and inflammation. When it gets to this point, the pain will be severe and constant. This toothache isn’t a twinge of pain when you bite into something cold but a relentless ache that won’t go away. 

When decay etches a hole into your tooth, it creates the perfect setup for odors to develop. First, the decay itself tends to create unpleasant smells. On top of that, cavities provide a hiding place for food particles and bacteria to collect, causing even more odor. Unfortunately, this leads to persistent bad breath.

Since your toothbrush’s bristles can’t get into a cavity and clean it thoroughly, brushing your teeth won’t make the smell disappear. This unpleasant issue is a good indication that something isn’t right with your oral health.



If you have a cavity that develops in an easy-to-see location, you may be able to see it, especially as it gets larger. Here are some tips to help you spot a cavity.

A cavity is created when bacteria generate enough acid to dissolve a part of the hard, protective outer layer of enamel on your teeth. Although this damage is microscopic at first, it grows faster and faster the deeper it goes. 

When the developing cavity gets big enough, you can see it with the naked eye. It will look like a hole in the enamel that doesn’t belong there. It may be rounded or look more like a trough, but any new shape etched into your enamel immediately needs attention.

Tooth decay may appear as a color change on your tooth, like a brown or black mark, but it can also look whiter than the rest of the tooth. Teeth can get discolored from things like drinking red wine or coffee, but if a single area of staining shows up, it may indicate a cavity.

If you see any of these signs of cavities, we urge you to visit us at All Smiles Dentistry as soon as possible. Small problems can be fixed much more easily, so don’t let it get any worse! Cavities are no fun!

At All Smiles Dentistry, our skilled dentists are here to gently correct any dental problems and help you keep your teeth healthy. If you live in the Lake Jackson area and need dental services,   contact us  for more information or make an appointment today.