Visiting your dentist is vital to preserving your health. You should visit your dentist at least twice a year to have regular exams and cleanings. Your dentist helps to provide the framework for healthy teeth and gums by evaluating your oral health and helping you to formulate your oral hygiene regimen. You should also make an appointment to see your dentist beyond your regular exams if you suspect that you have an oral infection. Here are three signs that you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Sensitivity to hot and cold
Pay attention to tooth sensitivity, particularly if your teeth become sensitive to hot or cold out of nowhere. Some people have naturally sensitive teeth, and this issue is often treated with sensitive toothpaste. However, a sudden change in sensitivity could point to a larger issue for your oral health. You may begin to experience tooth sensitivity as the result of an injury to your tooth or illness, such as a new cavity, an injury exposing the tooth root, or gum disease. Your dentist should evaluate your teeth to make sure that there are no issues that could lead to further discomfort or complications.
White spots
Oral bacterial infections may present in a number of ways that may or may not be accompanied by pain. Look for visible changes in your teeth and gums to make sure that you do not have an oral infection. White spots on your teeth and gums may indicate the beginnings of a fungal infection. If left untreated, the white spot may begin to ooze or grow, meaning that the infection has become worse. White spots may also result from an injury to the teeth or gums that have become infected as well. Your dentist is able to tell you the best way to manage and treat oral infections.
Bad breath
Bad breath is not just a mood killer; it may also be a sign of oral infection. Bacterial build-up may cause bad breath that worsens without treatment. Your dentist is able to evaluate the reasons for your bad breath, and also to treat the root cause. Your dentist may prescribe a special oral rinse or toothpaste to help break up plaques of bacteria leading to bad breath. Your dentist will also be able to evaluate your eating and lifestyle habits that may contribute to bad breath and help you to make alternate choices.
For more information on warning signs, reach out to a dentist in your area.
Every time you take a bite of food, you should be grateful for your healthy teeth! A tooth can lose its health and structure quickly once decay sets in. Luckily, if you visit your dentist for regular appointments, the decay should not get too serious before your dentist notices it and can do something about it. That "something" is applying a filling. On the other hand, if the decay progresses too long before it is caught, you may need a crown or even an extraction.
We want to keep our teeth, and we know you want to keep yours. That's why we created this website to teach you more about dentists and dental care. Enjoy!