A 45-year-old member asked:
How do you tell if you have cavities without going to a dentist?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Teitelbaumanswered
Dentistry 34 years experience
You generally can't: Many cavities don't hurt, and only show up on x-ray films. Don't wait 'till it hurt, it may not, or by that time you may need root canal!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Ryan Finnegananswered
Dentistry 24 years experience
Simple answer : Typically cavities are not going to be able to be detected without going to a dentist. Most cavities are asymtomatic and won't cause pain until they get large. Brown staining on your teeth may be an indication of a cavity but it's not always the case. Even your dentist would need x-rays to see cavities between the teeth, they aren't seen with the naked eye.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Daniel Wolteranswered
Dentistry 32 years experience
Usually Can't: Unless your cavity is big enough that you can see it with the naked eye, or you can feel it with your tongue, or you're getting food stuck in there, you won't know if you have one. At that time, the hole in the tooth would be pretty big. However, your dentist can find cavities that you can't even see with the unaided eye, especially with x-rays and magnification. That saves you money and pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
661 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 35-year-old member asked:
What should I do if a dentist tells not to fill a cavity ?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
Dentistry 20 years experience
Request: If the dentist does not want to fill a cavity, then it is probably not a cavity. It is more than likely staining in the grooves of your teeth from the process of remineralization.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 12, 2017
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