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Early signs of cavities and how to prevent them

Published and checked against the sources below: October 2026

Early tooth decay usually has no symptoms. A small white spot that turns tan or brown is an early visual sign, so regular dental check-ups matter.

Early signs

As decay gets worse

Toothache and sensitivity to sweets, hot or cold can appear. If the tooth gets infected, an abscess can cause pain, facial swelling and fever. Get urgent dental care if that happens.

How to prevent cavities

Spot dark spots early

Yuktii Smile Scan only reports a possible cavity when it sees a clear hole, pit or broken area with defined edges. Stains and dark patches are reported as tooth discoloration that may need care, not as a cavity. It cannot see cavities between teeth, under fillings or at the roots, and early decay is often painless, so a clean scan is not a substitute for a check-up.

Quick answers

Do early cavities hurt?

Usually not. Early tooth decay often has no symptoms.

What does an early cavity look like?

A small white spot that can turn light tan and then darker brown.

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Sources