01 Aug 2021
If you’ve noticed a change in your smile or experienced new tooth pain or sensitivity, you might be wondering if it is tooth decay. Dentists in North Vancouver recommend dental checkups every six months to keep your teeth healthy and strong, but if you’ve missed a few, it’s time to go in.
Tooth decay is a serious issue that can lead to loss of the entire tooth. It’s important to recognize the signs of decay so you can visit a dentist before it’s too late.
Signs of Tooth Decay
There’s nothing you can do to reverse cavities or rotting teeth. Frequent dental checkups and twice-daily brushing and flossing is a good way to prevent any more teeth from falling victim to decay.
If you experience one or more of the following symptoms you should schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
1. White Spots
Finding small, white spots on your teeth is the first sign that decay has begun. Plaque strips away the minerals in the enamel that keep your teeth strong. Catching decay at this early stage will save you a lot of tooth pain and dental expenses.
2. Dark Spots
If you brush your teeth twice a day as recommended by every dentist in North Vancouver (and everywhere, for that matter), you have a good idea of what color your teeth are. White is ideal, but teeth slightly dull from constant coffee drinking or poor genetics isn’t the end of the world.
What you want to look for is new discoloration. If you notice a gray, brown, or black spot that you can’t clean enough, that could be a sign of decay.
3. New or Increased Sensitivity
If you have noticed that hot or cold drinks now cause a sharp pain in a certain tooth, that could be a sign of rotten teeth. As plaque strips the enamel away, nerve endings become exposed. This leaves teeth feeling vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
4. Bad Breath and/or Unpleasant Taste
Are you constantly brushing your teeth, gargling mouthwash, or chewing gum to get rid of a bad taste? Rotting teeth begin from the inside of the tooth, but that doesn’t keep it from affecting your breath. If you’ve found yourself with a constant bad taste in your mouth or breath that won’t go away, it is time to get a dental checkup.
5. Toothache and/or Pain with Chewing
Deep pain in your tooth is a sure sign something is wrong. Whether your toothache is nonstop or intermittent, your body is telling you it’s time to go see the dentist.
Gums get hurt, canker sores happen, and for a myriad of reasons we occasionally favor one side of the mouth when chewing. But, if you find that biting down or chewing is consistently causing pain in one tooth, it could be the beginning of rot or cavities.
6. Holes or Pitting
Holes and pitting in teeth mean it’s time to see a dentist. There is no reason for healthy teeth to develop weak points.
Schedule an Appointment with a Dentist in North Vancouver Today
Whether you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, or it’s been over six months since your last checkup, it’s time to make it happen. Luckily, scheduling an appointment with a dentist in North Vancouver has never been easier. Contact us today and you'll be on your way to healthier teeth.