Do Cavities Go Away on Their Own? Dentist Answers

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there's an important distinction:

Early decay (demineralization):

• The earliest stage of tooth damage


• Enamel is weakened but not broken through


• Often appears as white or brown spots


• NO hole has formed yet


• CAN potentially be reversed with proper care

Cavity (caries):

• Decay has progressed to form an actual hole


• Enamel surface is broken


• May appear as dark spots or visible holes


• Cannot reverse or heal naturally


• Requires professional filling

Why does this matter?
If your dentist says you have a cavity, they mean there's a hole that needs filling. If they say you have early decay or demineralization, you might have a chance to reverse it before it becomes a cavity.

Yes, with the right conditions, very early decay can be stopped and even reversed:

What helps remineralization:

• Fluoride toothpaste (strengthens enamel)


• Prescription-strength fluoride (for high-risk patients)


• Reducing sugar and acid in diet


• Giving teeth "rest time" between meals


• Adequate saliva flow


• Proper brushing and flossing

What your dentist might recommend:

• "Watch and wait" approach with enhanced prevention


• Professional fluoride varnish treatments


• Prescription fluoride toothpaste or rinse


• Dietary counseling

This only works if:

• The decay hasn't broken through the enamel surface


• You're committed to excellent oral hygiene


• You return for monitoring appointments

Success rate: Early lesions caught at checkups can often be remineralized, avoiding the need for fillings.

Once a hole forms, healing isn't possible. Here's why:

Teeth aren't like bones
Bones have living cells throughout that can rebuild damaged areas. Tooth enamel is made of minerals without living cells—once it's gone, it can't regrow.

The hole traps bacteria
A cavity creates a space where bacteria can hide and multiply, protected from your toothbrush. These bacteria continue producing acid that makes the hole bigger.

Decay accelerates in dentin
Once a cavity breaks through enamel and reaches the softer dentin layer, decay spreads much faster. The deeper it goes, the faster it progresses.

No home remedy fills holes
Despite internet claims, no toothpaste, supplement, or oil pulling technique can regenerate missing tooth structure to fill a cavity.

Cavities don't stay the same size—they grow. Here's the typical progression:

Small cavity (enamel only):

• May have no symptoms


• Simple filling needed: $150-$250


• One short appointment

Medium cavity (into dentin):

• Sensitivity to sweets, hot, cold


• Larger filling needed: $200-$400


• Still relatively simple

Deep cavity (near the nerve):

• Pain when biting or spontaneous pain


• May need crown instead of filling: $800-$3,000


• Possible root canal if nerve is affected: $700-$1,500

Cavity reaches the nerve:

• Severe, throbbing pain


• Root canal required: $700-$1,500 plus crown


• Or extraction if too damaged: $150-$500

Infection develops:

• Abscess, swelling, fever


• Antibiotics, drainage, root canal or extraction


• Potential hospitalization if severe

The takeaway: A $150 filling today prevents a $2,000+ root canal and crown next year.

Don't wait for symptoms. By the time a cavity hurts, it's usually advanced.

See a dentist promptly if you have:

• Visible holes or dark spots on teeth


• Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets


• Pain when biting down


• Food constantly getting stuck in one spot


• Bad breath that doesn't improve with brushing

Even without symptoms, get regular checkups:

• X-rays can detect cavities between teeth before you see or feel them


• Early detection = simpler, cheaper treatment


• Twice-yearly cleanings remove tartar that causes decay