Oral health should be a priority for any family. Sadly, many rarely visit the dentist, especially as one gets older. Most believe that oral health is at its peak and could no longer be compromised. However, if you want to keep your health in check, oral health must be a priority.
In most cases, people only visit the dentist when they have a problem, such as a toothache or when a tooth falls out. However, your oral health might show indications of the overall status of your general health. With this in mind, seeing maple ridge dentists is essential.
Here are several signs you need to set an appointment with your family dentist.
- Aching Tooth Or Gums
When you are experiencing a constant toothache or gum discomfort, it’s a sign that you need to see a dentist. Pain or discomfort in the gums might be an indication of the following:
- Tooth decay. Poor oral hygiene will allow plaque bacteria to release acids that can penetrate the enamel, resulting in the deterioration of your teeth in the long run.
- Sensitive teeth. One cause of sensitivity is using tooth whitening products that contain strong agents such as peroxide that penetrates the enamel. Other possible causes which weaken the tooth enamel include gum recession and eating sugary or acidic food and beverages. When you have sensitive teeth, it might indicate the presence of a cavity, or it’s time to replace your fillings or even have a root canal procedure.
- Bruxism. Grinding of teeth is often due to crooked teeth, high levels of stress, or poor jaw alignment. If it’s a chronic condition, it’ll wear away the tooth enamel, increasing the risk for infection and decay or damaging the crown.
- Damaged Or Chipped Tooth
During accidents, a person is likely to end up with damaged or chipped teeth. If there’s evident damage to your tooth, don’t delay seeing a dentist. Any delay will lead to further damage or increase the risk for infection. Depending on the seriousness of the issue, a Maple Ridge cosmetic dentist might suggest several treatment options.
- Bleeding
If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it might be an early sign of gingivitis, the first phase of gum disease. The accumulation of plaque brings about bleeding gums. The bacteria in plaque will steadily destroy the healthy tissue around the teeth, resulting in bleeding. If you ignore the issue, plaque will eventually turn into tartar, progressing to periodontitis.
- Bad Breath
Certain types of food such as onion or garlic can cause your breath to have an undesirable smell, but your breath shouldn’t be stinky for no apparent reason. Various causes can bring about bad breath or halitosis. When you have persistent foul breathe, it’s an indication of the following:
- Poor oral hygiene. It’s crucial to brush and floss correctly to keep your mouth clean. Inadequate cleaning will not thoroughly get rid of any leftover food particles in the mouth. Over time, bacteria will multiply between the teeth, tongue, and gums, resulting in bad breath and other oral issues.
- Using tobacco
- Gum disease
- Mouth Sores
The presence of mouth sores can make eating and drinking difficult. Those that occasionally occur often resolve on their own. If a red bump or irritating patch on the mouth’s interior doesn’t seem to heal after a few weeks, it’s best to see a dentist.
- Loose Teeth
It’s usual for children to lose their teeth and grow new ones. When an adult has a loose tooth, it’s a different case. Healthy teeth should not loosen, wiggle, or fall out. Once this happens, it’s a cause for concern. In most cases, it happens if the tooth loses support and eventually detaches from the bone and gum.
- Pigmentation
Once you detect any white or brown spots on the surface of your teeth, it’s the initial sign of decay. It’s important to note that dental decay occurs when bacteria release acid that slowly dissolves the enamel. The rotting of teeth doesn’t often show any initial signs on the surface. If you want to prevent this tooth decay, make it a priority to follow regular appointments with your dentist.
Conclusion
Make oral health a priority by seeing your dentist regularly. With regular visits, the dentist can discover potential problems or issues and provide the proper treatment early on.
Even with good oral care, you might face difficulties now and then. When any of these signs are present, make it a priority to see your family dentist as soon as possible.
