Sometimes it’s just about peace of mind... especially if you’re already brushing and flossing like a champ. Nothing wrong with taking the straightforward route if that’s what lets you sleep at night.
That resonates a lot. I’ve seen so many people (myself included) get caught in that cycle of “is it getting better, or am I just imagining things?” With early spots, I always want to try remineralizing first—fluoride varnish, MI Paste, all the tricks. But I’ll be honest, the nagging worry never really goes away for me until I know for sure what’s happening under the surface.
I had this tiny white spot on one of my own molars for months. I was religious about the gels and rinses, avoided snacking, brushed like my life depended on it. Still, every time I’d run my tongue over it, I’d wonder if it was getting softer or deeper. When my dentist finally suggested a small filling, I hesitated (because who wants more drilling?), but after it was done? Total relief. Didn’t realize how much mental space that little spot was taking up.
That said, I’ve seen plenty of folks who stick with remineralizing and do fine—especially if the spot’s super early and oral hygiene is solid. But sometimes, even if you’re doing everything right, the anxiety about “what if it gets worse?” can be just as tough as the actual decay.
I’m curious—has anyone here had luck with those new silver diamine fluoride treatments? I’ve read they can stop decay in its tracks without drilling, but I haven’t seen a ton of patients opt for it yet. Wondering if anyone’s chosen that route instead of a filling, and if it helped with the worry factor or just made things more confusing.
I totally get the “mental real estate” thing—sometimes the worry is more exhausting than the tooth itself. I’ve had a few folks try silver diamine fluoride, especially for little kids or people who dread the drill. It does stop the decay, but yeah, it turns the spot black, which can be a dealbreaker if it’s somewhere visible. Some people love that it’s non-invasive, others just end up trading cavity anxiety for cosmetic anxiety... not sure which is worse! For peace of mind, sometimes a tiny filling just feels simpler.
I get what you’re saying about a tiny filling sometimes just being less stressful, but honestly, I’ve always been super nervous about drilling—even if it’s “minor.” I tried the remineralizing route for a small spot once, and it actually worked okay (though it took forever and I was checking the mirror like every day). The idea of a black spot from silver diamine freaked me out too, but I guess I’d rather have that than a numb face and the smell of the drill. Maybe it’s just trading one kind of anxiety for another... but for me, avoiding the drill wins out, at least when it’s not front and center.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I tried remineralizing a spot on a back tooth last year—took months, but it actually stayed stable and I avoided the drill (which honestly is my worst nightmare). The black spot thing is weird, but it’s hidden, so I just stopped worrying about it. It’s kind of a relief not having to deal with numbness or that burning smell, even if I do obsess over my teeth a bit more now.
The black spot thing is weird, but it’s hidden, so I just stopped worrying about it.
I get wanting to dodge the drill (seriously, who likes that noise?), but I dunno if I’d be chill with a black spot just hanging out, even if it’s not visible. My brain would probably just keep poking at the “what if it gets worse?” anxiety. I had a tiny cavity once that looked stable, but it turned into a bigger deal out of nowhere. Sometimes I kinda wish I’d just filled it right away instead of trying to hack it with toothpaste and mouthwash for months. But hey, if it’s not bugging you, maybe it’s all good.
