Five Signs You Should See A Dentist

Dental health is extremely important but gets neglected by many. People tend to ignore their poor dental health symptoms because the thought of visiting a dentist can cause anxiety. They fear the dental chair so much that they keep on postponing their visit to a ‘Monday’ that never comes. If you are one of these people who is constantly ignoring the persistent tooth pain, you need to visit your dentist! These symptoms are indicators of chronic ailments and won’t go away with time. Following are a few signs that indicate that you should see your dentist before it’s too late.

1. Constant pain

If you are experiencing persistent pain in the mouth or jaw, consider it as a warning alarm. Constant pain indicates cavity, abscess, infections, impacted teeth or gum diseases. Avoiding these issues can cause tooth loss, loss of bone structure and gum diseases like periodontitis.

In case of jaw pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth sub-consciously. In severe cases, it can point towards TMJ or Sleep Apnea. If left untreated, it may result in chronic dental complications.

2. Irritated or inflamed gums

Irritated or inflamed gums should not be ignored. They may indicate gingivitis. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease and is caused due to plaque and tartar accumulation. Collection of plaque under the gums houses bacteria that cause infections. The gums become inflamed and start to recede. If gingivitis is left untreated, it leads to periodontitis.

In periodontitis, the bacterial infection reaches the roots of teeth and recession of gums increases to a point where the teeth become loose and start falling out. Other signs may include red, tender, swollen and sensitive gums. You might also experience continuous discharge between your teeth and gums.

Gum diseases are chronic and if detected at an early stage are easier to treat. If you continuously see blood in your sink or on your toothbrush, call your dentist today and fix an appointment.

3. Dry mouth

If you are constantly parched in your mouth, your mouth has stopped producing enough saliva. A dry mouth makes you susceptible to bacterial infections and tooth decay. Saliva lubricates your mouth, helps in digestion, and neutralizes the acids and improves the sense of taste. If a dry mouth persists, it can cause abscess formation, tooth decay, gum diseases, throat infections or lung diseases.

Your dentist can help you identify the cause of dryness in your mouth and will recommend ways to restore its moisture.

4. Bad breath

Bad breath is a sign of poor oral health and indicates the first stage of gum disease. It can cause gum recession, tooth loss and can eventually lead to periodontitis.

If you have bad breath even after maintaining good oral hygiene, visit your dentist.

5. Loose or shifting teeth

Ideally, your teeth should not shift or move. If you notice gaps between your teeth or sudden misalignments in your smile, take the issue seriously and visit your dentist today.. If left unchecked, it can lead to loss of teeth.

If you have any further questions regarding any changes in your mouth structure, schedule an appointment with our dentist today