Even though most oral issues can be easily treated at the dentist’s office, many people still delay their dental appointments even if they experience severe symptoms. It is essential to understand that without timely and proper treatment, most oral conditions can progress and lead to severe complications. In this article, we have gathered six alarming signs that you need to make a dental appointment ASAP.
1. You experience a toothache
A toothache is a quite common issue that affects many people all over the world regardless of age, lifestyle, or other factors. If you have ever experienced a toothache, then you probably know how annoying and exhausting it can be. The point is that a toothache can be caused by various oral issues like tooth decay, gum disease, dental abscess, etc. If your teeth hurt, you can take painkillers or use home remedies to ease the pain but only a dentist can treat the underlying cause of a toothache.
2. You have bad breath
There are a lot of factors that can contribute to the development of bad breath. However, dental issues are among the most common causes. In most cases, bad breath occurs because of poor oral hygiene. But it can also occur because of gum disease and a dental abscess. That’s why it is better to visit a dentist if you have bad breath.
3. You broke a tooth
A broken tooth can cause severe pain or be painless depending on the severity of a crack. If you have chipped a small piece of tooth enamel, you may not experience any pain. You can visit a dentist to bond or fill the crack. However, a crack in the tooth can be severe and reach the inner sensitive layers of the tooth and/or even roots. In this case, it is essential to visit a dentist to ease the pain and restore the damaged tooth to prevent infection.
4. You experience gum bleeding
Many people tend to neglect gum bleeding or use some home remedies to ease it. But you should understand that healthy gums don’t bleed. Gum redness, tenderness, swelling, and bleeding are considered the most common symptoms of gingivitis (the initial stage of gum disease). If left untreated, it can progress and cause pus between the teeth, gum recession, toothache, and even tooth loss. That’s why it is better to treat gum disease in time.
5. You have loose teeth
If you have loose teeth, it is essential to define the exact cause of your condition. Teeth may become loose because of gum disease, physical trauma, osteoporosis, and pregnancy. Treatment options for loose teeth depend on the underlying cause. For example, if your teeth have become loose because of gum disease, you may benefit from deep cleaning (scaling and root planing), pocket reduction surgery, soft tissue grafts, and bone grafting. Timely treatment can help save your teeth and prevent further complications.
6. You have lost a tooth
There is a common misconception that there is no need to replace the missing tooth since the neighboring teeth will move to fill the gap. But the point is that your teeth may become shifted and this can result in facial asymmetry, plaque build-up, and problems with eating or speaking. That’s why it is better to visit a dentist’s office and get a dental implant as soon as possible.
The bottom line
It is important to understand that untreated oral issues can lead to tooth loss, toothache, gum recession, and many other complications. Proper oral hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular dental check-ups can prevent the development of these complications and help keep your oral cavity healthy. If you want to have strong teeth and gums, you need to visit a dentist at least twice a year for examination and treatment if needed.
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