5 signs you should go see your dentist
- Bleeding gums
- Toothache
- Tmj pain
- Sensitivity to heat and cold
- It’s been a while
Even if you have a good oral hygiene routine, plaque and tartar can form on the teeth and below the gums. Overtime, this buildup can lead to pain and inflammation. Accumulated bacteria may also lead to gingivitis or gum disease.
If your gums are sensitive and bleed when you brush or floss, it’s a good idea to come in for a full exam and cleaning.
This is one of the most obvious signs that you should see your dentist. A toothache is often due to deep decay, or can be caused by gum disease or even an abscess, which requires immediate care. Cavities never improve on their own, so the longer you allow a toothache to continue, the worse the pain, inflammation, infection or decay will get. Come in immediately if you have a toothache.
Many patients experience pain in their jaw joints from time to time. Mild pain, caused by excessive talking or chewing of hard or sticky foods, is usually remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as advil. However, if the pain is persistent, conditions such as erupting or impacted wisdom teeth, bruxism, or misalignment may be to blame. Schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and possible treatment options.
Tooth sensitivity is often times caused by the wearing away of the enamel, the tooth’s protective surface. Other times it can be an indication of decay or infection. In either case, it’s best to come in for a checkup to determine the exact cause of the pain.
Even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms, it’s a good idea to come in for an exam and cleaning if it’s been more than a year since you’ve visited your dentist. Plaque and tartar can build up around the teeth and gums, even if you regularly brush and floss. A professional cleaning will remove the buildup that brushing alone cannot. In addition, at every cleaning and checkup at Boisson Dental Group we screen our patients for oral cancer. Oral cancer is best treated when detected in its earliest stages. Also, coming in every six months gives you an important opportunity to check in with your dentists and evaluate any other changes to your oral health that might be of concern.