Common Dental Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
We know that nobody loves going to the dentist. Although it’s usually nowhere near as bad as we think it’s going to be, we all put it off for as long as possible. But when it comes to dental health and hygiene, dealing with problems early is actually a lot easier and a lot less painful than dealing with them too late.
So if you’re guilty of putting off your dentist appointments (no judgement, you’re definitely not alone), here are some common dental signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Bad breath
Bad breath can be an indication of many things. It is usually a sign that you are not cleaning your mouth thoroughly enough. This includes brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day as well as cleaning in between the teeth by flossing.
However, if the bad breath persists, you should consider seeing a dentist for potential gum disease, holes in your teeth or infections.
Tooth pain
Tooth pain can also be a sign of numerous issues. It could be a sign of tooth decay, a dental abscess, cracked or damaged teeth, a loose or broken filling and infections.
If your toothache lasts more than two days, doesn’t go away with pain killers or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should go and see a dentist.
Inflammation of the gums
Gums play a huge role in your overall dental health. Swollen, red, sore or bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease. The inflammation of the gums is also often a sign of gingivitis. This is reversible with good dental hygiene but if not addressed can turn into periodontitis which could ultimately lead to tooth loss.
But don’t panic…!
There are of course many other signs that you should see a dentist such as wisdom toothache, enamel erosion, chronic dry mouth and tongue colour change. But whilst all of these worst-case scenarios may sound scary, most issues can be dealt with effectively if you go to a dentist early enough.
So as a general rule of thumb, if you are experiencing discomfort or notice any abnormal signs in your mouth, it’s best to consult a dentist. And of course, to prevent such issues from arising at all, you could also take the proactive approach of seeing a dentist regularly for check-ups.
