The best way to make sure that your teeth remain healthy throughout your life is preventative dental care. This entails taking care of your teeth at home and visiting the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings and checkups. While at home it is important to brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss regularly.
We know that life can become overwhelming and it is easy to neglect regular dental checkups. However, it is important to understand the importance of it and what benefits it will offer for your oral health.
People who are regular with their dental visits are less prone to tooth decay, gum disease, and other health conditions related to oral health, such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and dementia. Another important reason to visit your dentist regularly is that many conditions, like tooth decay and gum disease, don’t show symptoms in their early stages; a dentist’s expertise is essential to identify them.
Furthermore, we will mention 7 symptoms that indicate that you need to give a call to your dentist and set up a consultation as soon as possible.
Persistent Toothache
Any discomfort in or around your teeth is known as a toothache. Temporary gum inflammation might cause minor toothaches, which you can manage at home. Cavities, infections, or other dental disorders that don’t resolve on their own cause more intense toothaches and will require expert dental care to be managed.
Additionally, if you are experiencing high fever and chills along with tooth pain you need to contact your dentist immediately as this means you are having a dental emergency. If left untreated this will result in a mouth infection that can even reach other areas of the body along with your brain and bloodstream.
Types Of Toothaches
Depending on the cause of it, toothaches can be different. Some of the symptoms that you may experience include:
- Sharp tooth pain.
- High tooth sensitivity while eating or drinking.
- Throbbing tooth pain.
- Constant headache.
- Fever & chills.
- Noticeable gum swelling.
- Bad breath.
- Bad taste while eating.
- Constant pain that doesnt go away.
What Causes A Toothache?
Toothache can be caused due to several different factors. Cavities, an abscessed tooth, a broken tooth, or damage to a dental treatment like a filling or crown are all potential causes of this condition. Additionally, you may experience tooth pain as a result of gum disease and bruxism, which is the grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Bleeding Or Swollen Gums
When we talk about oral issues the first thing that comes to mind are cavities, however, it is still important to pay the right attention to your gums too. Your gum health will be important not only for your dental health but also for your general well-being.
Usually swollen and bleeding gums are clear indicators of gum disease but there are other things you should pay attention to that can be causing this issue. Fortunately, bleeding and swollen gums will be managed whatever the cause.
What Causes Swollen Gums?
There are several different reasons that can cause swollen gums and most of them are dental issues. However, sometimes they can even happen as a result of underlying health conditions.
Some dental causes that can lead to swollen and bleeding gums include:
- Tooth abscess.
- Tooth decay.
- Fractured tooth from the root.
- Getting hard food particles like popcorn stuck.
- The use of orthodontic appliances.
- Gingivitis and periodontitis (early and advanced-stage gum diseases).
- Dentures that dont fit properly.
- A bacterial or viral infection known as gingivostomatitis.
- Vitamin C and B deficiency.
- Being diagnosed with HIV or herpes.
- Not managing diabetes.
- Thrush infections.
- The use of certain medications that have gum irritation as their side effect.
- Excessive smoking.
Bad Breath Or Unpleasant Taste In Mouth
Sulfur-producing bacteria that often reside in the throat and on the tongue surface are the main cause of halitosis or bad breath. These bacteria can occasionally begin to break down proteins very quickly, causing the back of the tongue and throat to produce odorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSC).
Halitosis does not spread from person to person. In adults, bad breath affects about 2.4% of people.
Causes Of Halitosis
Sulfur-producing bacteria that colonize the back of the tongue is the main cause of halitosis or foul breath. Other significant causes include dry mouth, which can be brought on by drugs, alcohol, stress, or specific medical disorders, and dental issues including periodontitis (infection around the teeth) or poor oral hygiene.
Because smoking deprives the mouth of oxygen, it additionally leads to halitosis. Less common reasons include stomach acid and bile reflux, chronic sinusitis-related post-nasal discharge, and, in rare circumstances, illnesses including kidney failure, different types of cancer, metabolic dysfunctions, and biochemical problems.
Onions, garlic, and cauliflower are among the foods that can also produce momentary scents, though these effects are usually temporary.
What Are The Symptoms Of Halitosis?
The main reason for halitosis is bad breath coming from the mouth. Usually, this smell will be worse during the morning, after smoking, and after drinking coffee. Symptoms might even include dry mouth.
How Is Halitosis Diagnosed?
Halitosis will be diagnosed by a dentist. Initially, they will ask about your health history and if you have experienced it before. Further on they will check your mouth to see if there are any visible signs that can be an indication of this issue or signs of infection.
What Can I Do To Prevent Halitosis?
Keeping your mouth clean is crucial to avoiding or reducing halitosis. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, you should also clean your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth because the majority of germs that cause bad breath live there. The freshness of breath can be greatly enhanced by brushing or scraping the tongue.
If you use dentures, remove them at night and give them a thorough cleaning before placing them again in your mouth. Before using deodorizing sprays or pills, consult your dentist, as some will only briefly hide the odor.
If you smoke, you should think about giving it up. By seeking treatment from a healthcare professional, you can enhance your general health and have better-smelling breath.
Seeing your dentist on a regular basis is also essential for identifying any deeper issues, such as dry mouth, gum disease, or infections. If the dentist is unable to determine the source of your persistent foul breath, they can recommend that you see your primary care physician for further testing.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth are very common and can be caused due to different reasons. If you are dealing with this condition certain activities will become uncomfortable like brushing, drinking, and eating. This will be accompanied by a short and sharp pain that will come and go.
This increased tooth sensitivity will come due to the damage of the tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots that will most likely be a result of cavities, chipped teeth, gum disease, or the use of unprofessional whiteners.
If you are dealing with sensitive teeth, it is important to schedule a visit with your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to find out what is causing the pain and suggest the right treatment. Some of them include:
- Fluoride treatment consists of applying fluoride to sensitive areas of the teeth in order to strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity. If needed the dentist might even prescribe fluoride for you to use at home.
- Desensitizing toothpaste and mouthwash will reduce sensitivity by blocking pain signals from sensitive teeth.
- Gum grafts will be recommended in cases when the gum tissue recedes and the tooth root is exposed causing sensitivity. This procedure will aim to recover the gums by extracting a small amount of tissue from elsewhere in the mouth and grafting it into the affected area. Not only will this procedure reduce sensitivity but it will also protect the exposed tooth root from infections and bacteria.
- Another procedure that will be recommended in cases of exposed root surfaces will be dental adhesives or sealants, that will aim to form a protective layer over the root.
No matter the treatment that you decide, further maintenance is crucial if you want to have a healthy mouth. This means brushing your teeth and flossing at least twice a day, using a tongue scraper and a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid harsh scrubbing.
Additionally, it is recommended to find the right product that dont have abrasive formulas and set regular dental visits. For patients who have bruxism and grind their teeth a mouth guard will be recommended as this will damage the teeth and increase their sensitivity.
Keep in mind that over time, enamel will also be eroded by acidic foods and beverages, including wine, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks. Use a straw for acidic beverages to reduce contact with your teeth, and rinse your mouth with water to neutralize the acidity of the food or drink.
Loose Or Shifting Teeth
Tooth shifting is another dental issue that will usually be neglected until it presents unavoidable symptoms and impacts oral health and appearance. This issue will happen for different reasons and some of them include age, genetics, tooth loss or not getting the right orthodontic treatment.
Furthermore, we will mention some of the common causes and signs of tooth shifting and how to treat the issue before it progresses any further.
Common Causes Of Tooth Shifting
Some of the most common factors that can contribute to tooth shifting can be:
Tooth loss: If the patient has any missing teeth, the nearby teeth will shift closer together to close the space, causing a change in teeth alignment and structure.
Age: As we get older our bones and oral tissues will change and sometimes teeth shifting can happen.
Dental conditions: If the patient is dealing with oral habits like teeth grinding, periodontal disease, or tooth decay, the mouth structure will become weaker and can result in tooth shifting. Additionally, some people might also use their teeth as tools to open things, which will not only damage their structure but will also cause them to get loose and shift.
Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Shifting
Tooth shifting will come with some noticeable signs that need to be reviewed by a dentist. Some of the most common symptoms will be:
- If the patient is dealing with tooth shifting, one of the first signs will be noticeable movement of the teeth from their normal position.
- Noticeable gaps and spaces between the teeth are another sign of teeth shifting, that dentists will look out for.
- In other cases, teeth shifting might also cause overcrowding which means that teeth become packed and can overlap each other. Not only will this not look appealing but will also make it difficult for you to maintain them.
- Another common issue that teeth shifting will cause is irregularities in the bite, making it uncomfortable and difficult for you to bite and chew.
- Tooth shifting will also be the cause of loose teeth, which is a serious condition that can indicate underlying issues, that require treatment.
Jaw Pain Or Clicking
Another common sign that can indicate that you need to visit your dentist will be jaw pain or clicking. This refers to cracking sounds that happen when you open your mouth to speak, chew, and yawn. Usually, this is a clear sign of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Additional signs related to TMJ can be:
- Constant headaches.
- Jaw pain.
- Earaches due to muscle tension.
- Neck pain.
Jaw clicking can occur on one or both sides of your face and can vary in intensity. Your healthcare physician may suggest nonsurgical treatment options, changes in lifestyle, home treatments, or surgery, depending on how severe your issue is.
Types Of Jaw-Pain
Jaw clicking or popping is divided into two types.
It can either happen when you open your mouth a lot, just like you would do when you jawn. This type of jaw clicking will not be a cause for concern and it is considered normal.
The other type of jaw popping will be when you normally open and close your mouth just like you do when you are speaking and eating. This kind of jaw clicking happens when the cartilage that cushions your jaw joint, known as the articular disk, slips in and out of position.
Why Does My Jaw Pop?
Some of the most common reasons for jaw pain and clicking can be:
- Teeth grinding and jaw clenching also known as bruxism.
- Arthritis.
- Having malocclusion, which is a condition when your teeth dont properly fit when you bite down.
- Unhealthy habits like biting the nails.
- Stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension in the jaw.
- Abnormalities in your jaw joint.
- Trauma-related to accidents or sports.
- Excessive gum chewing.
Mouth Sores That Don’t Go Away
Mouth sores also known as ulcers are small spots that can be formed in your gums, lips, tongue, inner cheeks, and in the root of the mouth. The reasons behind them can be a lot including small injuries on the mouth, hormonal changes, stress, etc.
While many mouth sores will not need treatment and will go away on their own some others will need professional treatment
What Are The Symptoms Of A Mouth Sore?
Usually, mouth sores will be easily identified by a dentist as they can be found all over your mouth including, the tongue, gums, inner cheeks and lips, and the roof of the mouth.
In most cases, they will look red around the ages, and white or yellow around the edges. In some cases, the patient might only develop one sore but in other cases, there may be more. Some other common symptoms might include:
- Pain and discomfort while brushing teeth.
- Excessive swelling near the sores.
- Pain that will increase if you eat spicy salty or acidic foods.
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