Paying regular visits to the dentist is essential to maintaining proper dental health. That is because it allows the dentist to notice potential dental problems before they progress into emergency issues. Ideally, you can visit the dentist’s office as much as you can. But, two or three times per year are enough to maintain good oral health.
However, there are a few isolated cases that might demand an immediate visit to the dentist. For instance, you might experience excruciating pain or toothache that won’t go away. Apart from causing discomfort, these dental emergencies can affect your overall health if left untreated.
So, if you see any of these signs, it is important to compare dental insurance plans and schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
1. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums is the first indication that you have a dental problem that needs to be checked immediately. Unless you have cut your gums physically, bleeding can result from gingivitis. Gingivitis has become a common infection today and often leads to periodontitis if left untreated. So, if you have bleeding gums, whenever you brush your teeth, it is essential to visit your dentist before it advances to periodontitis.
Apart from bleeding gums, there are other issues, such as swelling, that you might want to take to a dentist. Generally, any abnormal sensation or signs in your gums may indicate a problem in gum health. So, ensure you visit a dentist to avoid any future severe issues.
2. Consistent Bad Breath Even After Brushing and Flossing
Another indication that you might need a visit to the dentist’s office is bad breath, despite brushing and flossing regularly. In most cases, a tongue scraper might help sort out the issue. However, you may still have bad breath even after thorough tongue scraping. That may be an indication that you have an underlying issue.
If you have consistent bad breath, it may be an indication of severe gum disease, an oral infection or a metabolic disorder. So, it might be essential to visit a dentist if you are dealing with persistent bad breath.
3. Persistent Headaches
Another sign that you shouldn’t ignore is persistent headaches. A headache is not a problem we commonly associate with dental issues. However, if you experience constant headaches, especially when you wake up in the morning, it may indicate a severe dental problem that demands a visit to a dentist.
Waking up to a headache in the morning can result from teeth grinding (bruxism) while you sleep or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ causes muscle soreness and headaches by limiting the movement of jaws. So, if you are constantly suffering from a migraine in the morning, it may be a great time to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
4. Sensitive Teeth
Are your teeth super sensitive to cold or hot stuff? If yes, you might want to visit the dentist’s office as soon as possible.
In most cases, sensitivity to hot and cold stuff is the early sign of tooth decay. That is because tooth decay affects the outer part of the tooth (enamel) before advancing to the underlying surfaces. The deeper parts of the tooth contain nerves and blood vessels that get easily irritated when exposed to extreme temperatures.
So, it may be time to contact your dentist if you feel a sharp pain whenever you consume hot or cold substances. A dentist will fill the cavity and prevent further problems that may result in tooth extraction.
5. Teeth Discolouration
Another common sign that you shouldn’t ignore is tooth discolouration. Teeth discolouration can occur in several different ways. Perhaps yours have become yellow due to the consumption of coffee, wine or any other teeth-staining substances. However, this kind of discolouration is not severe to your dental health and can be easily fixed through a whitening session.
However, there are a few cases when your teeth turn from white or yellow to a grey or dark brown colour. That is a severe case of tooth discolouration, which often indicates the decay of the pulp inside the tooth. Sometimes, you may notice pus coming out of the tooth. In either of the cases, you need to visit the dentist’s office to have the problem checked and treated before it advances.
Conclusion
It is vital to pay regular visits to a dentist to ensure good oral health. However, there are a few isolated emergency cases where contacting your dentist becomes paramount. The list above consists of a few signs that you might need to visit a dentist as soon as possible.
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