It’s easy to forget about preventive health care when you’re busy with other things. But it’s important to make time for it because it can help you stay healthy and catch problems early. You should never ignore dental problems because they can easily worsen. Catching problems early will save you time and money in the long run, so listen when your mouth speaks about these signs that you need a dentist pronto!
Bleeding Gums
Visit your dentist immediately once you notice bleeding after brushing or flossing your teeth. While it’s normal to have a little blood when you brush or floss, seeing a lot of blood could signify gum disease.
Gum disease is an infection of healthy tissues that hold your teeth in place. Undetected and untreated, this can lead to bone loss around the teeth and eventually tooth loss. Other signs include red, swollen, or tender gums and discharge between the teeth and gums before or after oral hygiene, so visit your dentist immediately when you spot these signs.
A Dry Mouth
This is a condition where there is not enough saliva in the mouth. This can lead to problems with eating, drinking, and speaking.
A healthy mouth has enough saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize acids. If your oral cavity feels dry, it could also indicate illness. Your dentist can determine what’s causing your dry mouth and suggest ways to restore moisture and protect your teeth.
Loose Pearly Whites
If you notice your teeth moving or gaps between them widening, take it seriously as it could be a sign of infection, bone loss, or falling out. Also, be on the lookout for changes in how your teeth fit together when you bite or the fit of partial dentures.
Oral Sores
Canker sores are small, uncomfortable ulcers that can form on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or on the gums. They are usually white or yellow with a red border and can ma, making talking difficult. While they are not contagious, they can reoccur and may be caused by stress, a deficiency in vitamins or minerals, or an autoimmune disorder.
These can be painful and may take a while to heal. You may also get infections from them, so never remedy this yourself. Visit your dentist ASAP.
A Receding Gumline
A receding gumline is a condition where the gum tissue around the teeth starts to pull away, or recede, from the teeth. This can expose the roots of the teeth and make them more susceptible to decay and infection. Gum recession can result from either gum disease, brushing too hard or too little, and aging.
As we age, our gums naturally recede, or pull back, from our teeth. However, recession can also signify gum disease, especially when bacteria get in between and eat away at the flesh. This can expose the delicate roots of teeth, increasing the risk of decay, infection, pain, and tooth loss. Treatment can stop or reverse the process if it is caught early by you or a dentist.
Listen to Your Mouth and Visit Your Dentist When You Encounter These Problems
As mentioned earlier, don’t even attempt to DIY these dental problems. When they happen, book an appointment immediately with Shallowford Family Dental. Established by a dentist in Chattanooga over 75 years ago, our team combines traditional and modern dentistry to serve the community with good old-fashioned Tennessee care and dedication. Get to know us by calling (423) 892-4477 or visiting our website!