You may have a cavity if a tooth becomes sensitive, painful, discolored, rough, or develops a visible hole. However, early cavities often cause no symptoms, so the most reliable way to know is to have a dental exam and, when appropriate, dental X-rays. If you are worried about sensitivity, a dark spot, or possible early […]

Most adults have 32 permanent teeth, including four wisdom teeth. However, many healthy adults have 28 teeth because wisdom teeth may never come in, never develop, or may be removed; children usually have 20 baby teeth. If you're checking your tooth count, wondering about wisdom teeth, or concerned about a missing tooth, dental cleanings can […]

A normal socket after tooth extraction usually has a dark blood clot at first, then develops a white, yellow, or cream-colored healing layer as the area repairs itself. Mild pain, swelling, tenderness, and light bleeding are common early on, but they should gradually improve instead of getting worse. If your extraction site looks unusual or […]

Yes, dental implants can be removed when needed. Removal is not common, but it may be recommended if an implant is loose, painful, infected, poorly positioned, or not integrating well with the bone. In many cases, the goal is to save the implant if possible. If the implant is failing or causing ongoing problems, removal […]

A cracked tooth does not always have an obvious appearance. Sometimes it looks like a thin line in the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of the tooth. In other cases, the tooth may look normal even when a crack is present. Some cracks show up as a faint vertical line, a rough or […]

If you are wondering what a wisdom tooth coming in looks like, the earliest sign is often a small white point or ridge behind your last molar. It usually appears at the very back of the upper or lower jaw, where you previously only saw gum tissue. Some wisdom teeth come in straight and become […]

The first signs of gingivitis are often easy to ignore. You may notice a little pink in the sink, tenderness along the gumline, or a metallic taste after brushing. Even when it starts quietly, gingivitis is a clear sign that the gums are inflamed. The good news is that early gingivitis can often be reversed […]

The mouth is rarely the first place people look when a medication changes the body. But teeth and gums often show those changes early, in small signs that build over time. Ozempic, the brand name for semaglutide, is used for blood sugar control and is also widely known for its effect on appetite and weight. […]

A tooth infection usually does not start with one dramatic sign. More often, the mouth gives smaller warnings first, and they are easy to brush aside until pain, swelling, or pressure becomes hard to ignore. If you are wondering what an infected tooth looks like, the answer depends on how deep the infection is and […]

Receding gums commonly develop from repeated pressure, gum inflammation, tissue changes, or oral health conditions that gradually expose more tooth structure. Gum recession may occur slowly and may become more noticeable when teeth appear longer, sensitivity develops, or gum lines change. At Charlotte Dental Associates, patients with gum concerns frequently begin with Tooth Scaling because […]