8 Symptoms That Signal You Should Visit Your Dentist Immediately

You know that when you have a toothache or feel some kind of discomfort in your mouth, this means you should make an appointment with your dentist and go for a check-up as soon as possible.

However, many people ignore the symptoms of oral diseases for a long time and there are certain times when you need to stop putting off your appointment and go to the emergency dentist’s office in Albuquerque immediately. That’s why we’ll tell you the 8 symptoms that are trying to warn you that you shouldn’t wait a minute longer before you see your family dentist.

1. Tooth pain

Even though it’s needless to say that when you have a toothache, you should see your dentist many people ignore the problem and take numerous pills to numb the pain and postpone their check-up.

As helpful as this may be to fall asleep, eat and work, toothaches don’t just go away on their own and measures need to be taken while the problem is still in its early stage. The pain often progressively gets more severe and can lead to more complicated problems such as tooth abscess, gum disease or infection of the root of the tooth.

When the issue gets worse, the treatment can get longer and more expensive, so you’ll want to do yourself a favor and call your dentist when you start feeling any numb or dull, throbbing or pulsating pain.

2. Bleeding gums

Noticing blood when you brush your teeth may indicate a gum disease. This may or may not be accompanied by pain and you may think it’s not a big deal because it usually happens only when you brush. However, waiting for a few months before you make an appointment with your dentist can lead to serious gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis which could cause tooth loss.

Gum disease can be usually prevented and treated by proper oral hygiene, regular brushing, flossing and professional clean up at least once a year. However, visiting your dentist if you start having bleeding gums is necessary because they can take a thorough look at your mouth and give you professional advice about how to treat the problem.

3. Tooth sensitivity

If your teeth suddenly hurt after eating or drinking hot or cold beverages, you may have sensitive teeth. Sometimes the reason for that can be your recent dental procedure such as professional clean up or teeth whitening or eating/drinking something too acidic. In other cases, however, teeth sensitivity can be caused by worn tooth enamel, tooth decay, gum disease or excessive plaque.  The treatment for sensitive teeth can vary and depends on your individual case, so it’s important to see your dentist for diagnosis and professional advice.

4. Bad breath

Persistent bad breath can be a warning sign of gum disease or another dental problem like tooth abscess or an untreated infection. Foul breath that doesn’t go away even after brushing and flossing can be caused by different foods, poor oral hygiene, smoking or dry mouth. However, it can be a symptom of a more serious condition like diabetes or liver problems and if left untreated, can damage the gums and the jawbone.

Brushing twice a day and flossing are crucial when it comes to good oral hygiene and can prevent bad breath and tooth decay but you shouldn’t take this issue lightly and should still visit your dentist for treatment.

5. Chronic dry mouth

Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense against bacteria and tooth decay. It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums by neutralizing acids and washing away food particles. A healthy mouth produces a good amount of saliva, so if you’re suffering from a chronic dry mouth, this may be a symptom of a medical disorder.

A dry mouth is often a side effect of certain medications too but besides the discomfort, this may cause, your teeth may be more prone to tooth decay. Let your dentist know if you have this problem as they can help you treat it and can determine what is causing it.

6. Mouth sores that won’t go away

Mouth sores can vary in types, severity, and causes. They can be caused by infections from viruses or bacteria, allergies or different kinds of irritation due to braces, dentures or a broken tooth.

Sometimes they can be a symptom for an underlying disease or medical disorder so if you have a mouth sore that doesn’t go away within a couple of weeks, talk to your dentist. Any mouth sore that last more than a couple of weeks, should be examined by a specialist.

7. Clicking/popping jaw, jaw pain, and ear pain

If you have a clicking/popping jaw, jaw pain or an earache, you need to make an appointment with your dentist now. These symptoms can be caused by a lot of different things that include toothache, wisdom teeth growth, sinus infection, teeth grinding or TMJ. Your dentist can examine the symptoms and can determine the source of pain.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is one of the most common reasons for jaw and ear pain. Your dentist can determine if your jaw functions properly and if you have TMJ. The treatment of this disorder and depends on the cause of TMJ and on the severity of the condition. Therapy can include pain relievers, bite adjustment and even surgery, if necessary.

8. Wisdom teeth growth and pain

The growth of your wisdom teeth can be accompanied by pain, swelling, and infection. Sometimes, if there isn’t enough space for them to grow, they can become impacted and it’s important you visit your dentist because you may even need to have them extracted. Impacted or partially erupted teeth can be sore, swollen and can cause pain in your jaw or ear too.

As wisdom teeth are at the back of the mouth, it’s harder for your toothbrush to reach and clean them which can build up plaque and can cause tooth decay. In some cases, wisdom teeth grow without any issues so you wouldn’t need to see your dentist besides your general check-up appointment. However, if you have any concerns, call them as soon as possible.

Wrapping it up

In conclusion, as long as you follow a good oral hygiene routine, you should have strong and healthy teeth most of the time. However, problems can occur even if you have the cleanest teeth and the earlier the issue is diagnosed and treated, the smoother and easier the healing process will be so don’t be scared to take measures if you have even the slightest concerns that something is wrong with your mouth.