A dentist should be able to spot tooth decay in its initial stages by physically examining your mouth. If the tooth decay is particularly advanced, or it is in a part of your mouth that is hard to examine, they may X-ray your mouth to check for cavities.
Types of cavities
Through an examination, your dentist can see what type of cavity you have. There are three main types:
- pit cavities occur on the top of your 'chewing teeth' – these quickly lead to more extensive tooth decay if not treated
- smooth surface cavities occur on the flat surface of your tooth – they are usually at the gumline in teeth at the side of your mouth.
- root cavities occur at the root of the front of your tooth – they are more common in older people because gums tend to recede slightly with age, making the root more vulnerable to plaque
