Any dentists here? Advice needed!

[ChristmasCalamity]

I’m living in East Asia. A few weeks ago I noticed a brown patch on the side of my very back upper molar on the left. I went to the dentist in a complete panic expecting to need a filling, but although she found the tooth decay (at least that’s what I assume it is) she seemed at a loss to know what to do. She put a tiny camera in and got this picture which I’ll attempt to attach. I was horrified as it looks horrendous to me but she first tried to say it was just the colour of the tooth and they can clean it, and then that it was “just some tooth decay”
She did an x-ray as well and it looked clear to me (obviously I’m not an expert!).
She gave me the number of one of their dentists who speaks English so that I can go back and see him, but so wanted to be armed with some advice beforehand!!
So my question is, if it’s surface decay, how does a dentist usually treat that?

I forgot the picture...

Anyone...???? I still haven’t been back. Any dentists here??!

No idea sorry -but I wanted you to have a reply!

Did you manage to book an English speaking dentist?

I wonder if rates of tooth decay are that much lower in western diets. Are you in a city or the middle of nowhere, where people are eating more traditional diets?

Thank you for replying! I live in a city and there is Western food available but also lots of traditional food. I notice that children in particular seem to have far more tooth decay than I ever saw in the UK, I think maybe some parents don’t bother with taking care of milk teeth since they fall out anyway.

I have the number of the English speaking dentist but I really wanted to know how a Western dentist would treat surface decay as I was a bit taken aback when she said to leave it! But I can’t find anything online. I should just steel myself and contact him. It’s been on my list for weeks!

I'm an ex dentist. From the pic it looks like there may be decay in the front surface of the back tooth (sort of between the teeth) as well as the side of the back tooth. Do you have a pic of the x ray?

I would go to the English dentist! Looks like it needs treatment to me.

Thank you for replying! I don’t have a picture of the x ray but I remember thinking it looked ok, the tooth was the same colour as the other teeth if that makes sense. He isn’t an English dentist though, he is a dentist who speaks some English, so I was wondering what treatment would be normal for surface decay, then I can suggest that? Because the dentist I saw didn’t seem to think anything was necessary and I am not convinced (by others’ experience of dental treatment here) that they know what they’re talking about

Hello Cc

It might be deeper/more extensive than it looks on the surface. I think it needs the decay removing and then some kind of restoration/filling.

It's hard to say from a photo but it could actually be a big hole between the 2 teeth ie on the front surface of that back tooth. The dentist will be able to tell you more when he gets into the tooth.

Don't worry too much just get it looked at!

If it isn't hurting that's a good sign!

OK. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I’ll go. I do feel nervous but I’d rather have it sorted. Thanks!