How Do I Know That Black Spot On Tooth Is a Cavity or Just a Stain?

April 15, 2023
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Screening your teeth daily for day-to-day change on your end is a good habit. This way, you can easily detect issues like plaque or tartar buildup or even a small black spot on your tooth.

It is fairly common to have discoloration or staining on your teeth, but a black spot could be a sign of a more significant issue. This happened for many reasons, ranging from tooth decay to trauma.

Let’s explore what causes these black dots to appear on your tooth and treatment.

What Actually Is That Black Spot On Your Tooth?

Well, that black or brown dot on your tooth, you can see maybe a cavity or stain. So, what do cavities look like? How can you decide between the two?

Those pesky stains are usually due to pigments from certain foods and drinks like coffee, wine, and tea and only affect the outer layer of your teeth.

On the other hand, cavities are not like that. They start as a small dot or line of black or brown color on your tooth. Later on, if nothing is done, they start getting deeper, infiltrating the layers of the tooth to reach the pulp.

A solid indicator that those black spots on your teeth are cavities is sensitivity to temperatures and sharp, throbbing tooth pain.

7 Reasons Why Black Spots On Teeth Develop

  • You may think that you have an excellent oral hygiene habits, but did you know that a lack of proper brushing and flossing results in black spots on your teeth? This is because of plaque accumulation leading to tooth decay and discoloration.
  • Sweet tooth will cost you! Sugary meals and drinks can feed the bacteria in your mouth, causing acid to accumulate and attack your teeth, resulting in black spots.
  • If you have the habit of consuming acidic beverages like soda or sports drinks, they erode your enamel, causing your teeth to be damaged.
  • Have you lately had a filling or crown placed? While these dental procedures can help safeguard your teeth, they can potentially cause discoloration in the long run.
  • A black spot on your tooth can also be caused by trauma, such as a severe hit or fall. This can harm the blood vessels in the tooth and cause the pulp inside to die, resulting in a black patch on the tooth.
  • Other than that, genetics can influence this for happening. Some people have naturally weaker enamel or are more prone to tooth decay, rendering them more prone to black spots.
  • Diseases such as celiac disease might potentially contribute to this problem. It hinders the formation of enamel, which results in translucent enamel or white or yellow patches.

Treatment of Black Spots on Teeth

Fortunately, there are several ways to get rid of black teeth, ranging from simple changes in lifestyle to professional intervention.

The first step is to determine what is causing the stained teeth. Some common triggers are drinking coffee or tea, smoking cigarettes, or something else entirely. Once the underlying cause is successfully found, various viable treatments for black teeth exist. Among them are:

  • Whitening toothpaste
  • Whitening strips and trays
  • Bleaching treatments
  • Laser whitening treatments

Closing Note

You can rely on professional dental care experts from Smile Designs Dentistry to determine the root cause of your trouble and provide treatments like root canals or teeth whitening, whatever the reason may be.

Just call us, and we will take care of it in no time. Dial (925) 234-4421 Pleasanton or (209) 780-4777 for Manteca.

 

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