young man and woman in a dental examination at dentist
When life gets busy, it’s hard to squeeze in dentist visits until something really goes wrong. But forgetting to schedule regular dental checkups is detrimental to your dental and overall health.
If you’re asking, “Do I need a dental examination?” you’ve come to the right place! Here are 5 signs you need a dental exam today.
Damaged Teeth
The most obvious sign you need to schedule a dentist appointment is if you have visibility damaged teeth. Chips, cracks, and broken teeth need a dentist’s attention to ensure you don’t lose any teeth entirely.
There are a variety of ways to treat a damaged tooth, including dentures, dental implants, dental crowns, and caps. Your dentist will explain the pros and cons of each treatment type and choose the best option for your mouth.
Tooth Pain
If you experience pain while chewing, biting, drinking, brushing your teeth, or flossing, you need to schedule a dentist appointment. As the second-most common health concern in the U.S., toothache should not be ignored!
Toothache can be caused by tooth decay, clenching or grinding your teeth, gum disease, new teeth growing, or shifting teeth. It is often the first sign of a cavity. Cavities are holes in the teeth caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is a type of bacteria that exposes your enamel to corrosive acids.
Inflamed or Bleeding Gums
Do your gums bleed when you floss? This can be a sign of gingivitis – gum disease. Gingivitis is caused by plaque buildup on the teeth. This is often a result of poor oral hygiene.
Gingivitis is completely curable but requires immediate attention. If left untreated, it can develop into periodontal disease – a much more serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and supporting bones in your mouth.
Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath is a sign of excess bacteria in your mouth, a cavity, or periodontal disease. If you’ve noticed your breath is unpleasant despite your best mouth-washing efforts, it’s time to pay your dentist a visit! They’ll be able to pinpoint the cause of your bad breath and provide treatment options.
Yellow or Stained Teeth
If you have yellow teeth, there is a buildup of plaque in your mouth. If left untreated, plaque hardens to form tartar which permanently stains your teeth.
If your teeth are already stained, there is no at-home tartar removal trick that will improve your smile’s appearance. Professional dental cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from your mouth.
Visiting your dentist is important even if you don’t mind having stained teeth. Untreated tartar can damage your gum health.
Schedule a Dental Examination, Today
Dentists recommend that you visit them at least once a year. If you have any of the above signs or are at higher risk for dental diseases, you should visit them more frequently.
So, when should you get a dental examination? Today!
If you found this post helpful, be sure to check out our blog for more tips on staying healthy and looking after yourself.
Leave a Reply