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Karalee Family Dental presents a slideshow giving patients guidance on 10 signs to look out for that may suggest they need to visit the dentist.
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What Are the Warning Signs? • Even when we have an inkling that something isn’t quite right with our teeth, we’re not always convinced that it warrants a visit to the dentist. Instead, we think that it’s okay to wait until our next scheduled appointment - and think that the issue might even go away over time. • Well, these quick decisions can actually be surprisingly risky ones. If something is amiss in your mouth and you leave it too long to get checked out, you could be putting yourself at risk of serious oral health issues.
Before you A) keep ignoring your mouth, or B) go to the dentist, here are some specific symptoms to watch out for. If you’ve noticed these issues cropping up in your mouth, teeth, or gums, it may be time for you to book an appointment.
Bad Breath Bad breath is one of the major indicators that you could be suffering with gingivitis - which, if left too long, could develop into periodontal disease. If you’ve noticed persistent bad breath, even after brushing and flossing regularly, you could be at risk. Book an appointment with your dentist to get to the root of the problem and start treatment fast.
Spots and Sores Spots and sores could appear in your mouth for any number of reasons. They could simply be cold sores or canker sores, or could be from braces or a jagged tooth rubbing uncomfortably against your gums. Whatever the cause may be, if any sores are persistent and last for longer than a week you should alert your dentist, as sores can also be a warning sign for infection.
Difficulty Eating If you’re experiencing pain while eating, chewing, or swallowing, you should let your dentist know. Whether the root of the problem is a cavity or swollen gums, they will be able to zero in and find the best way to help. Until your appointment can be made, stick to foods that are soft or liquid-based, as this will help to minimise the amount of pain you feel while eating.
Puffy, Inflamed, or Bleeding Gums Just like with bad breath, puffy or inflamed gums, or gums that bleed while brushing or flossing, are a warning sign that you may have gingivitis, which is often caused by hardened plaque under the gumline. If you think you may have gingivitis, alert your dentist immediately so that you can start treatment. If left untreated, it could develop into periodontitis, which could lead to permanent tooth loss.
Headaches If you’ve been suffering with frequent or intense headaches, you might think your first port of call should be a visit to the doctor. However, headaches can be very closely related to your dental health. This is especially true if your headache have been making themselves known in the morning after you’ve woken up. Intense morning headaches could be the result of bruxism - or grinding your teeth in your sleep. Let your dentist know if this is the case, as they may be able to fit you with a mouthguard to protect your teeth and gums while you sleep.
Dry Mouth If you experience a couple of days of dry mouth, you can be fairly certain that it is nothing to worry about, as having a dry mouth is a common side effect of medication. However, longer periods of dry mouth that seem to have no origin could signify bacteria or disease in your mouth. If you’re unsure about whether your case of dry mouth could be serious, contact your dentist to be safe.
General Tooth Pain Sometimes, your teeth just hurt and you need some pain relief. There may not be a sinister underlying problem waiting to pounce, you might just be suffering from an old fashioned toothache. If this is the case, and your ache persists, contact your dentist and have them take a look.
White Spots Appearing on Teeth When it comes to tooth decay, white spots appearing on your teeth is often the first indicator. They are the result of bacteria producing acid in your mouth, which then attacks your tooth enamel and begins to dissolve it. Tooth decay is a problem that nobody wants, and it can often be quite some time before symptoms begin to appear - so even if you can’t see anything yet, you may still be suffering from tooth decay. That is why regular visits to your dentist are important - they can catch what you can’t see!
Metallic Taste Just like bad breath and inflamed gums, having a metallic taste in your mouth is yet another warning sign for gingivitis. If you have any of these three symptoms, or even a combination of all three, don’t waste time in booking an appointment. The sooner your gingivitis is caught, the sooner it can be treated, and the fewer troubles you will experience.
Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Temperatures If tooth decay is left untreated for too long, you may begin to feel sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This is likely because your tooth decay has developed into a cavity. The sensitivity you feel is from the hot or cold temperatures coming into contact with the nerves in your teeth. The quicker your cavity is filled, the better, so make booking your next appointment a priority.
Contact Your Local Dentist • Visiting a local dentist when you begin to experience any of these issues is the best way to receive timely, dedicated care. Karalee Family Dental is your local Booval dentist - we’re easy to reach, we provide you with an exceptional service, and we’re here to welcome you with open arms. • To talk to us more or to get a quote for your treatment, contact us via our website or send a message to our Facebook page today.
