One way to do this is by recognizing the signs of tooth decay. Regular dental care and checkups can help catch decay before it becomes too severe, but doing self-screening at home can also help catch any issues early on.
If you notice discoloration or black spots on teeth, this could also be indicative of tooth decay. This could occur anywhere on your teeth and will often begin as a chalky-looking white spot on your tooth that progresses into darker shades over time, or darkness in the groove or pits in the tooth that you cannot brush away.
Another common sign of tooth decay is pain or sensitivity when eating sweet foods or drinking sugary drinks such as soda or juice. You might also experience discomfort when consuming hot or cold beverages. These signs aren’t usually present until tooth decay is more advanced.
An unpleasant taste in your mouth can indicate tooth decay. This is noticed most often when decay is leaking under an old crown or filling. If you experience recurring bad breath even after brushing and flossing regularly, this could be caused by bacteria leaking from decay underneath old fillings and dental crowns.
This should be done regularly to watch for tooth decay and if you haven’t visited the dentist in the last 6 months, schedule an appointment and talk to the dentist about what you see. The dentist will also take dental x rays which will give you more information. It is important to take the health of your teeth seriously because your teeth cannot heal themselves and if you are not proactive, you take the chance of allowing more damage to your teeth from neglect. Home screenings are an easy first line of prevention.
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