A
AnxiousWretch
Junior member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2022
- Messages
- 4
- Location
- Iowa, United States
This might seem somewhat mundane, but it has caused me ceaseless anxiety to the point where I even get weak looking at myself in the mirror knowing it is there and that I don't know what it is - whether or not it is nothing, or a ticking time bomb in my mouth.
Internet searches have been inconclusive whether it is a stain or decay. Friends, in their well-intentioned support, have also been inconclusive and even contradictory. That is the short of it, anyway.
The long story is that roughly three to four months ago, I steeled myself enough to get a dental examination after a five to six year hiatus. Fortunately, they did not report anything amiss aside from some tartar build up, told me to keep my routine, and that they'd call back in six months to see if I wanted to schedule a cleaning.
Roughly about two weeks ago, brushing my teeth, I noticed a dark spot on the back of my third molar. It was dark enough to where it could not have built up in the few months since the exam, but the dental hygienist and dentist proper did not mention it to any capacity, and I grew concerned that they might have missed it due to it being on the rear of the third molar. Likewise, the bitewing showed the tooth partially obscured by the jawbone, so I am concerned that they might have simply overlooked it - contrary to the explanations of my friends that a professional would not miss something so easily.
Either way, I have been attentively brushing it, rinsing it constantly with water after meals, and attempting to avoid anything with carbohydrates and sugars - hesitantly eating just out of hunger. It has become an obsession, and while I try to justify to myself that it is, in fact, just a stain, enough doubt lingers in my mind to where I have occasional panic attacks questioning if that is true, or is just a cope on my behalf to not have a breakdown.
The attached picture was taken a few days ago, and while it is not as bad as I initially thought, trying to references with actual pictures of decay and stains have been indecisive and contradictory. The opinions of my friends, laymen, have been equally as unhelpful, which has just made the situation all the more stressful.
For what it's worth, there is no associated pain or sensitivity. My tongue isn't quite as dexterous to feel the area, but from what I can gather with a fingernail or toothpick, it doesn't seem to 'stick'. There might be a slight rough texture, but admittedly, there is a similar texture along most of the third molar in question, so I'm not sure if that's actually associated with the dark spot in particular. But I am not a drinker, smoker, or really partake in things like coffee, so the typical descriptions of stains seems unlikely.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but this has troubled me to the point where I am basically fearing myself to sleep, and any confirmation would be appreciated - at least for the peace of mind.
Internet searches have been inconclusive whether it is a stain or decay. Friends, in their well-intentioned support, have also been inconclusive and even contradictory. That is the short of it, anyway.
The long story is that roughly three to four months ago, I steeled myself enough to get a dental examination after a five to six year hiatus. Fortunately, they did not report anything amiss aside from some tartar build up, told me to keep my routine, and that they'd call back in six months to see if I wanted to schedule a cleaning.
Roughly about two weeks ago, brushing my teeth, I noticed a dark spot on the back of my third molar. It was dark enough to where it could not have built up in the few months since the exam, but the dental hygienist and dentist proper did not mention it to any capacity, and I grew concerned that they might have missed it due to it being on the rear of the third molar. Likewise, the bitewing showed the tooth partially obscured by the jawbone, so I am concerned that they might have simply overlooked it - contrary to the explanations of my friends that a professional would not miss something so easily.
Either way, I have been attentively brushing it, rinsing it constantly with water after meals, and attempting to avoid anything with carbohydrates and sugars - hesitantly eating just out of hunger. It has become an obsession, and while I try to justify to myself that it is, in fact, just a stain, enough doubt lingers in my mind to where I have occasional panic attacks questioning if that is true, or is just a cope on my behalf to not have a breakdown.
The attached picture was taken a few days ago, and while it is not as bad as I initially thought, trying to references with actual pictures of decay and stains have been indecisive and contradictory. The opinions of my friends, laymen, have been equally as unhelpful, which has just made the situation all the more stressful.
For what it's worth, there is no associated pain or sensitivity. My tongue isn't quite as dexterous to feel the area, but from what I can gather with a fingernail or toothpick, it doesn't seem to 'stick'. There might be a slight rough texture, but admittedly, there is a similar texture along most of the third molar in question, so I'm not sure if that's actually associated with the dark spot in particular. But I am not a drinker, smoker, or really partake in things like coffee, so the typical descriptions of stains seems unlikely.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but this has troubled me to the point where I am basically fearing myself to sleep, and any confirmation would be appreciated - at least for the peace of mind.