You don’t wake up one day with a gaping cavity. Decay is sneaky—more “slow Wi-Fi” than “internet down.” If you’re ticking any of these boxes, your teeth may be whisper-screaming for help.
1) Zings from hot, cold, or sweet
That tiny lightning bolt when you sip iced coffee or nibble chocolate? It isn’t “just sensitivity.” Early decay thins enamel and exposes the porous layer beneath, so temperature and sugar hit nerve endings faster than your patience on a Monday.
What it means: Mineral loss has likely started. Catch it now and you can often re-mineralize the area instead of drilling it later.
2) Funk that fights back
If your breath turns on you before lunch—despite brushing—bacteria may be partying in plaque biofilms and shallow pits. Mints mask. They don’t fix.
What it means: Acids from bacterial plaque are softening enamel and dentin. Left alone, they carve out real estate.
3) Chalky white spots or shadowy stains at the gumline
Those dull, matte patches (often near the gums or between teeth) aren’t “just stains.” They can be the first visible stage of demineralization. Darker shadows can hint the process is deeper.
What it means: Early decay is trying to set up permanent residency—right where your brush misses and your floss “forgets.”