Pain in your mouth and gums can disrupt your life. Complicated treatments can be avoided if dental issues are detected early. Learn the symptoms to watch out for so you know when to visit your dentist, meaning less stress for you and a smaller impact on your life.
There are a number of symptoms that may not seem significant at first but could be indicators of a more serious underlying problem. For example, bleeding gums is an issue dentists will tell you not to ignore; yet research has shown that nearly half of the population would ignore blood in their spit due to the fact that it doesn’t hurt. Bleeding gums could be an early sign of gum disease—talk to your dentist about how to deal with the problem before it gets worse.
If you have a spot or sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal, you may want to do more than just treat it with soothing gel. An unusual lump or painful patch in your mouth that refuses to heal could be a sign of diabetes or, possibly, mouth cancer.
While some people have more sensitive teeth than others, a sudden change in sensitivity could be an indicator of infection. A dental abscess—a bacterial infection that is close to the tooth’s root—can cause sudden sensitivity to temperature. Accompanied by pain and swelling around the jaw and neck, dental abscesses can be very serious and need prompt medical attention. If your sensitivity occurs more gradually, it could be due to eating too much acidic food or brushing your teeth too vigorously. Untreated dental abscesses can lead to root canal therapy which involves cleaning the root of infected pulp and replacing it with inert material.
Bad breath can be caused by more than just a fondness for garlic. Bacteria in your mouth break down food and release gases that make your breath smell. This bacteria can also cause tooth decay and gum disease.
If you want to keep your teeth for as long as possible, visit your dentist if you notice any loose teeth. Not only could this be a symptom of gum disease, a loose tooth can also exacerbate the problem by allowing food and germs to get stuck underneath the gum, leaving bacteria to fester.
Top Tips for Healthy Teeth:
Use the right toothpaste for you. If you have sensitive teeth, use toothpaste specifically made for that problem.
Don’t forget to floss. The use of floss and mouthwash will remove all the nasty bacteria in your mouth.
Don’t rinse out your toothpaste. Fluoride protects your teeth throughout the day so it is important not to wash it away after brushing.
Use disclosing tablets. These handy tablets show where plaque sits on your teeth, helping you discover where you aren’t brushing properly.
Use the right toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush that is small with rounded bristles to make sure you aren’t causing harm by over-brushing.
Visit your dentist at least once a year. The recommended amount of time between dentist appointments is between 3 months and 2 years. Don’t leave it too late to discuss your problems and concerns.
