How can you tell the difference between tarter on the teeth and a cavity?

Easy for Dentist: Tartar or calculus is hard and appears as a deposit on the surface of teeth. It is an almond color but may be stained darker from coffee, tea, smoking, etc especially below the gum surface. Decay is soft and lies at or below the surface of a tooth. Don't try to diagnose these things yourself. See a dentist who is trained for this purpose. Most cavities are not easily visible until a problem!

Is it sticky?: Tartar is a hard substance that attaches to the tooth surface, whereas, a cavity is an actual breakdown of the tooth and causes a whole in the tooth. Dentist use visual cues, x-rays, pointed instruments called explorers to check for sticky areas and holes, and lasers to aid in finding cavities. Cavities can cause teeth to be sensitive to sugary foods.