Preventative dental care should be scheduled every six months. Unfortunately, though, busy lives and family responsibilities can make this goal impossible to fulfill – until pain arises unexpectedly!
An acute toothache should be the telltale sign that it’s time to visit the dentist North York immediately, while other warnings include swollen or inflamed gums (an early indicator of gingivitis) and persistent bad breath that won’t clear away.
1. Pain or Swelling
Pain in the mouth can range from being mildly irritating to sharp or stabbing in intensity, so any dental discomfort should be seen as a signal to contact a dental provider immediately and schedule an appointment. Painful jaw, gums or cheeks could indicate infection or an abscess that needs immediate treatment.
An increase in food sensitivity could be an early warning sign of tooth decay, and should be treated immediately. Your dentist will perform a full oral exam and may take digital images or x-rays of your teeth so they can assess what’s going on beneath the surface.
General dentists can handle most dental emergencies, so don’t be alarmed if you experience one. They will help relieve any pain or discomfort and offer suggestions for future oral health – such as brushing twice daily, using mouthwash with alcohol in it and avoiding acidic foods.
2. Discoloration
Although teeth may become discolored over time due to eating or drinking stain-causing foods and beverages, sudden or significant discoloration could indicate a more serious problem that needs immediate resolution by consulting with your dentist who will then help manage the situation to keep it from worsening further.
Red or swollen gums that bleed when brushing or flossing could be an indicator of an infection or injury, while persistent bleeding around your teeth could lead to gum disease or abscesses.
White spots on teeth or gums are often an indicator of early tooth decay, and should be addressed quickly to reduce the chance of needing root canal therapy later. Bad breath, an unpleasant taste in the mouth or persistent bad breath could indicate gingivitis which needs to be addressed immediately by visiting a dentist. Persistent dry mouth may also increase chances of gum disease and cavities.
3. Cracks or Chips
Visits to the dentist every six months are an ideal way of maintaining healthy teeth and gums, helping prevent problems from worsening while saving money over time, since most dental issues won’t present symptoms until their advanced stages. But in certain situations it may be wise to visit sooner rather than later – such as an incident requiring immediate dental attention such as gum recession.
If you experience sharp pain when eating hot or cold food, this could indicate that one or more of your teeth is cracked and require immediate repair by a dentist to prevent complications such as infection, air exposure and tooth loss.
If your bite feels uneven or you hear clicking noises when opening or closing your mouth, these could be signs of TMJ problems and should be treated quickly in order to avoid headaches and jaw pain. If left untreated for too long, TMJ could lead to significant issues, leading to severe headaches and jaw pain requiring expensive medical interventions.
4. Mouth Sores
As is normal for anyone, experiencing mouth sores is normal; however, any new or unusual ones should be evaluated by a dentist as soon as they appear. Mouth sores could indicate something more serious than just cold sores or canker sores if they persist for more than two weeks.
Mouth ulcers can be caused by numerous factors, including stress, accidental cheek bites, specific foods or toothpaste/mouthwash containing sodium lauryl sulfate; vitamin deficiencies; immune system issues or cancer. They may even serve as a telltale sign.
If your mouth sores persist or worsen, it is advisable to visit both a doctor and dentist immediately in order for them to be examined and possibly biopsied. They may prescribe pain relief medication or antibiotics; additionally they will check for gum disease. Newly sensitive teeth could indicate tooth decay has progressed past enamel to the inner center of the tooth – and early treatment could make all the difference in outcomes.
