When you were a kid, you saw your dentist every six months like clockwork. But once you get older, you no longer have your parents to make those appointments or check out what’s going on in your mouth. It’s all up to you. If you haven’t been to the dentist in awhile, then here are some signs that an appointment is due.
Your Teeth Are Sensitive to Hot and Cold
If every time you take a bite of ice cream or a sip of coffee, your experience pain or soreness, you should see your dentist. This is one of the first signs of tooth decay. To start, tooth decay will only affect the surface of your teeth, but the longer it goes untreated, it will start to move inward. The center of your tooth is where you find your nerves and blood vessels and if you’re experiencing pain at temperature change, this is likely how far the decay has progressed.
You Have Constant Bad Breath
Unfortunately, this may not just be because you forgot to brush for a few days or ate a tuna sandwich for lunch. Persistent bad breath can be the first sign of gingivitis which is the swelling of your gums that is the first sign of gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to damage to your gums or jawbone. Gingivitis can also lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can result in tooth loss or other serious health conditions. If your bad breath persists, don’t just pop in a mint and call it a day. Get it checked out.
Pain, Swelling, or Inflammation
Any of these are a good reason to see your dentist. Pain in your teeth is hard to ignore, but even if you succeed, the problem is still there. Tooth pain can be the result of cavity or infection, both of which your dentist needs to check out before they get too serious. Swelling or inflammation of your gums can be caused by plaque hardening on your gumline. While this is enough cause to see your dentist, inflammation can also be a symptom of gingivitis or periodontitis, which, if not treated, can lead to tooth loss.
Spots or Sores That Don’t Go Away
There are numerous causes for those little bumps that appear in your mouth, but if you have one that persists, you should see your dentist. These sores can be minor canker sores that cause some pain and irritation but often go away fairly quickly, even if they reoccur. However, if the sore doesn’t go away, it could be something more serious. The sore could potentially be a result of Leukoplakia, which, while it has many causes, 5% of cases can lead to cancer. Other causes include Candidiasis, a fungal infection that results in creamy yellow, white, or red patches that are often found in people with a weaker immune system.
White Spots on Your teeth
You may think your teeth are as white as they can get, but if you take a closer look, that spot of pearly white might not be what you think. White spots on your teeth are one of the first signs that you have dental decay. This is an infection in your teeth where the enamel dissolved because of acid produced by the bacteria in your mouth. For the most part, it can go undetected until it gets serious, so it is important to be efficient in your tooth care and to continue to see your dentist regularly.
Contact us!
Schedule your dental check-up today, at our Friendly Dental of Worcester office at (508) 791-4000, Unique Dental of Worcester office at (508) 753-5488, Taunton Dental Center office at (508) 822-1281, Uxbridge Family Dental office at (508) 278-2015.
