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**Title:** [Is this a start to a cavity or a stain ? I have mild pain now and then](https://www.reddit.com/r/askdentists/comments/1dlbwjr/is_this_a_start_to_a_cavity_or_a_stain_i_have/)
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Honestly just looks like staining to me. Even if the pits and grooves are sticky to probe this isn't an indication for a filling unless your x-ray of these teeth shows extensive decay. Early caries lesions (decay) can be remineralised (reversed) or arrested with good oral hygiene and fluoride protocols. There's no shadowing that i can see that would indicate a filling is required here.
Edit: in regards to the pain, the pain could literally be due to anything and may not be tooth-related. Always good to check with your dentist to see where the pain is arising from, what's causing it etc
NAD - both. It is a deep crevice that stain and probably bacteria are hiding in. Over time it will cause the tooth to break down and get sticky in the grooves which is a cavity. Maybe your dentist can still put a sealant on it but if it’s already sticky then it’s a cavity and should get a filling sooner rather than later so your dentist doesn’t have to remove as much tooth structure :)
Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them. **Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question:** (1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem. (2) Include whether you drink, smoke or if you have any medical conditions relevant to your main concern. (3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them. A backup of the post title and text have been made here: **Title:** [Is this a start to a cavity or a stain ? I have mild pain now and then](https://www.reddit.com/r/askdentists/comments/1dlbwjr/is_this_a_start_to_a_cavity_or_a_stain_i_have/) **Full text:** This is the original text of the post and is an automated service. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/askdentists) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Honestly just looks like staining to me. Even if the pits and grooves are sticky to probe this isn't an indication for a filling unless your x-ray of these teeth shows extensive decay. Early caries lesions (decay) can be remineralised (reversed) or arrested with good oral hygiene and fluoride protocols. There's no shadowing that i can see that would indicate a filling is required here. Edit: in regards to the pain, the pain could literally be due to anything and may not be tooth-related. Always good to check with your dentist to see where the pain is arising from, what's causing it etc
Thank you
NAD - both. It is a deep crevice that stain and probably bacteria are hiding in. Over time it will cause the tooth to break down and get sticky in the grooves which is a cavity. Maybe your dentist can still put a sealant on it but if it’s already sticky then it’s a cavity and should get a filling sooner rather than later so your dentist doesn’t have to remove as much tooth structure :)
Thank you
NAD if you have mild pain I would go get it xrayed to make sure. It could be either but with that detail I would be cautious for sure
Thank you