Our smile is our best first impression because it is the first thing anyone will notice. When you smile, you want to make sure that you are proud of your pearly white teeth, but many Americans unfortunately aren’t. This is due to plenty of different reasons, but one thing is for sure — taking care of your teeth is the best way to ensure you have a bright white smile no matter what.
We all know how important brushing and flossing our teeth are, but for some people, this is easier said than done. It can be all too easy to forget to brush your teeth at night and in the morning, but doing so can lead to a whole host of oral hygiene problems such as tooth decay. Tooth decay can show up in many different shapes and forms, and here are some red flags that mean you could be suffering from tooth and root decay or other serious dental problems.
Common signs you are suffering from some sort of tooth decay in your mouth:
- Unexplained jaw pain.
- Tooth sensitivity, whether it is to the touch or when drinking hot and/or cold beverages.
- Tooth pain that comes sporadically, without any cause.
- Pain when you bite down, chew, or run your tongue over your teeth.
- Brown, black, or even white staining on a tooth that won’t go away with regular brushing.
- Visibile holes or pits in your teeth.
It is crucial to know exactly where your tooth decay comes from as a way to prevent it from happening in the first place. Tooth decay doesn’t just happen overnight, it is quite a long process. It first starts when plaque, which is a sticky substance that coats your teeth, which is left over from eating and drinking things with a lot of starches and sugars. When not removed, the plaque will eat away at the enamel of the tooth, which leads to pits and holes in the tooth that will expose the tooth’s inner pulp.
The good news is, simply brushing your teeth regularly and going to the dentist for regular teeth cleaning and dental care, you will keep the cavities and tooth decay at bay!
