Tooth Cavity Vs Stains: 5 Key Treatment Methods Explained

How do you know if you have a dental cavity or a tooth stain? Well, it can be tricky to differentiate between tooth stains and cavities as both appear the same from a distance and require thorough examination by a dentist. 

According to the American Disease Control & Prevention Statistics, one-quarter of American adults have at least one untreated cavity. So, if you are experiencing teeth staining after excess coffee intake or are confused about your dental cavities, schedule your first appointment at PVPD. 

Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers FREE first dental checkups for kids to protect their beautiful smiles from dental cavities. Get a professional guide and quality oral care to brighten up your smile. 

How to Tell the Difference Between a Tooth Stain and a Cavity?

Both teeth cavities and staining affect the enamel, but the teeth stains are reversible, whereas cavities are irreversible. The cavities tend to grow over time, whereas the stains appear as discoloration that varies in size and shape. 

The significant difference between these two is that cavities damage the teeth, resulting in other complications such as tooth infection. On the other hand, the discoloration only affects the appearance of the teeth.

Let’s discuss in detail the ways to differentiate them:

Appearance:

Stains and cavities are similar in color and can be white, dark brown, or black. The teeth may appear yellow or darker than the average color for discolouration. They take color from food items and their residues, such as tobacco, coffee, and artificial food coloring used in meals.

The cavities appear white when they start developing and become gray.  They finally develop into dark brown or black coloured pits or holes between the group of teeth. 

Symptoms:

The symptoms of finding the tooth staining are that they are easily visible and have no additional symptoms such as pain, discomfort or anything else. The American Dental Association shares that cavities grow slowly when the acid in plaque eats away the tooth enamel. The cavities have symptoms such as:

• Toothache that doesn’t go away
• Sensitivity
• Holes or pits in the spaces between teeth or gums
• Pain after biting food
• Bleeding
• Swollen gums
• Bad breath or bad taste
• Dark brown or black spots on the teeth

Diagnosis:

Do the teeth have cavities or only discolouration? Before meeting with a dentist, you can examine your teeth early at home to help you figure it out. 

• Try to take pictures now and then.
• If your teeth start changing color, keep track of the changes. 
• Using your tongue, try to check the presence of dents in your teeth. 
• Touch the dark space in the teeth with a light pressure to see if there’s any pain. 
• Test the teeth by making a difference between hot and cold-colored food. 
• Use a flashlight to see if there are holes in your teeth.

How to Prevent Tooth Stains and Cavities?

Prevention is always the best resort when it comes to dental health. Along with dental care, you must visit your dentist every six months for a detailed checkup. However, here we share some preventive tips that can help you save your teeth from dental problems:

Stains:

• Brush and floss your teeth twice daily. 
• Using teeth-whitening toothpaste can be helpful. 
• Limit your coloured food and drink intake that affects your teeth. 
• Quit smoking and tobacco use. 
• Use water to rinse your teeth after eating coloured food. 

Cavities: 

• Use fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities. 
• Brush your teeth daily. 
• Eat healthy food enriched with calcium and zinc to support enamel.
• Do not use excess sugar in your meals. 
• Take professional fluoride treatments from your dentist.
• On finding any signs of a cavity, rush to the doctor. 
• Use antibacterial mouthwash after tooth brushing to prevent bacterial growth and infection. 

How to Treat Tooth Staining?

Treating teeth staining vs. cavities is more accessible for several reasons. Once you discover your teeth are discolored for any specific reason, give up. If you are still thinking about getting rid of stains in teeth grooves, look for the best toothpaste that suits your teeth. 

In addition, talk with your dentist about teeth whitening kits and strips which remove stains from teeth. Consult with your dentist for a professional teeth whitening procedure with a protection gel on gums before using a whitening agent. Furthermore, deep cleaning followed by polishing can be beneficial for mild cases. 

5 Ways to Treat Cavities

Once you experience the signs and symptoms of a cavity, the best way is to look for possible treatment options that a dentist can recommend. Cavities are irreversible if not treated. If left unnoticed, they cause dental problems, including tooth sensitivity, infection, severe pain, gum disgums, and tooth loss. 

So, here are a few feasible treatment options which one must look into for treating cavities such as:

1: Tooth fillings

It is a common way to treat cavities in teeth when the tooth structure is intact. It requires a professional dentist to remove the cavity from the place and fill the remaining gap with a specific filling material that can be resin, porcelain, or metals.

 The good part is that, unlike traditional fillings, modern fillings are easily matched with the natural teeth’ color and don’t appear dissimilar. 

2: Bonding

Also commonly known as bonded restoration, this is used to fix cavities or small cracks between the teeth. This is a painless procedure that involves tooth-coloured restoration using composite resin. 

3: Crowns

The basic function of teeth crowns is to restore function and appearance. A dental crown is usually made from ceramic, which looks like your existing tooth, and is caped over the damaged tooth. 

4: Root canal

A root canal is performed in severe cases where teeth decay from cavities and infection spreads underneath. This is a teeth-saving procedure to prevent tooth extraction, followed by a fitting crown or tooth filling. 

5: Tooth extraction

In severe cases of tooth cavities, the last resort is tooth extraction, performed in severe cases. For several reasons and health concerns, tooth extraction sometimes helps with cavities, and an implant covers the gap. 

FAQs

How do you tell if it’s a stain or a cavity?

You can tell by looking into the signs and symptoms of cavities vs stains on teeth. The appearance of holes and dents with pain and sensitivity indicate cavities where dark brown coloured spears show tooth staining. 

Can a tooth stain turn into a cavity?

Although both differ, a stain can sometimes become a cavity if left unnoticed. Plaque buildup can lead to cavities if teeth are not cleaned properly after discolouration. 

Do brown spots on teeth mean cavities?

No, they can appear for a number of reasons such as due to some underlying medical condition, tartar buildup, aging, or staining from tobacco. 

Can tooth stains be removed?

Yes, the stains can be removed by following a teeth-cleaning regime. Moreover, teeth whitening strips and professional treatments can help treat pit and fissure stains.