What Dental Issues Look Like: Visual Signs & Symptoms

Do you see things in your mouth that look wrong? Let’s find out what they could be! Your teeth can talk to you with how they look. We need to know what teeth should look like so we can see when they look bad.

Let me show you what dental issues look like so you can spot them fast!

What Your Teeth Should Look Like When Healthy

Healthy teeth are:

• White to light ivory
• Smooth on the surface
• Pink gums that hug teeth tight
• No holes or dark spots
• No pain when you eat cold or hot food

Common Dental Issues & Their Visual Signs

Let’s look at what bad teeth look like!

Tooth Decay (Cavities)

Tooth decay happens when bugs in your mouth eat sugar and make acids that hurt your teeth.

What It Looks Like:

• White spots on teeth (early stage)
• Brown or black spots or holes
• Dark lines between teeth
• Black triangles between teeth

Did you know? 2.3 billion people in the world have tooth decay that’s not fixed!

In a real case, a 42-year-old man who did not care about small black spots on his tooth ended up needing a root canal. Don’t wait like him!

“I thought the small black spot on my tooth was just a stain. By the time it hurt, I needed a root canal!” – Tooth decay patient

Gum Disease

When gums get sick, they pull away from teeth. This can make teeth fall out!

What It Looks Like:

• Red, puffy gums
• Gums that bleed when you brush
• Pulled back gums showing more tooth
• Space between teeth and gums

Big fact: 47% of adults over 30 in the US have some form of gum disease.

A study found that 68% of people who smoke and have bad gum disease lost teeth within 5 years.

If you want to learn more about how gum disease can be fixed, check out our guide on treating gum disease.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Teeth can crack or chip from biting hard things, getting hit, or grinding your teeth at night.

What It Looks Like:

• Lines going up and down teeth
• Sharp edges on teeth
• Broken corners on teeth
• Tiny bits missing from teeth

Did you know? Half of all adults over 50 have at least one cracked tooth!

One patient who loved to chew ice got a small crack in their tooth. The crack got bigger and bigger until the tooth got infected!

Enamel Erosion

The hard outer shell of your teeth can wear away from acid in food and drinks.

What It Looks Like:

• Yellow teeth (the inside part shows through)
• See-through edges of front teeth
• Teeth look shorter or have rounded edges
• Dents on the top of teeth

Real case: A teen who drank six sodas each day had teeth that looked like they were melting away. The acid in soda had eaten through the hard outer shell of the teeth.

Want to protect your enamel? Try our custom dental whitening trays that are safe for your enamel.

Oral Infections

When bad bugs grow too much in your mouth, you can get spots of infection.

What It Looks Like:

• White patches on tongue, cheeks, or gums (thrush)
• Red bumps that hurt
• Pus spots near teeth
• Swollen parts of the mouth

5-7% of babies and 10% of older adults get thrush, which looks like white cottage cheese in the mouth.

Sinus Problems and Teeth Pain

Sometimes when your nose is sick, your teeth hurt too!

What It Looks Like:

• No visual signs on teeth
• Top teeth hurt when you walk or jump
• Pain gets worse when you bend over

Fun fact: Many people with sinus problems think they have tooth problems first!

Less Obvious Clues of Dental Issues

Some signs of dental problems can be hard to spot:

Bad Breath

If your breath smells bad even after brushing, you might have:

• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Mouth infection

Black Triangles Between Teeth

Black triangles are dark spaces between teeth that show up when gums pull back. They can trap food and make more problems.

If you see black triangles, you might need help from ceramic veneers to fix the way your smile looks.

Bite Changes

If your teeth don’t come together like they used to, you might have:

• Grinding damage
• Tooth movement
• Jaw joint problems

20-25% of people worldwide have bite problems that can cause pain and wear on teeth. [^10]

When to See a Dentist

See a dentist right away if you have:

• Swelling in your face or mouth
• Bleeding that won’t stop
• Bad pain
• A tooth that falls out
• Trouble breathing or swallowing

See a dentist soon if you have:

• New spots or holes in teeth
• Teeth that hurt with hot or cold
• Gums that bleed when you brush
• Teeth that look longer (gums pulling back)
• Teeth that feel loose

Prevention Tips

Keep your teeth looking good with these tips:

Daily Habits

• Brush two times a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss between all teeth once a day
• Clean your tongue
• Drink water after eating

Food Choices

• Eat less sugar
• Drink less soda
• Wait 30 minutes to brush after eating sour foods
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals

Checkups

See your dentist two times each year to catch problems when they’re small!

For those who grind their teeth at night, a custom soft night guard can help stop damage.

Common Questions About Dental Issues

Conclusion

Your mouth can show signs of problems before they hurt. Look for:

• White or dark spots on teeth
• Red, puffy, or bleeding gums
• Cracks or chips in teeth
• Yellow or see-through tooth edges

Check your mouth each week when you brush. If you see anything strange, talk to your dentist!

Remember: Finding problems early makes them easier and cheaper to fix!

Do you see any of these signs? Call your dentist today!