Look, no one ever wants to go to the dentist, and with costs rising due to decreased appointment rates, the turnout is starting to dip even further. That said, ignoring going to the dentist when you have a genuine problem can result in everything from broken teeth to gum disease.
So how do you find a happy medium and know when exactly you need to schedule that appointment with your local dentist?
Well, that’s where we come in. This is our complete guide to determine when you need to go to the dentist!
But enough talk, right? Let’s jump head-on into this thing!
1. Extreme Sensitivity to Temperatures
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It’s normal for your teeth to feel somewhat sensitive to direct contact with either hot or cold foods. However, if this sensitivity escalates to pain, it’s a sign that the vulnerable parts of your teeth are exposed, which could lead to bigger problems down the line.
2. Gum Issues
Another time you should go to the dentist is if you notice your gums receding from your teeth, exposing more of the tooth. When the roots are exposed, it’s easier to get cavities or decay occurring in them, which could compromise the integrity of the tooth.
However, if caught before too much time passes, your dentist can work to reverse the recession. In some cases, gum tissue can get grafted onto yours to compensate for the lost tissue.
Bleeding gums when you brush is also a big issue, as this is one of the telltale signs of gum disease. An occasional bit of blood from brushing too hard is nothing to worry about, but if the bleeding occurs for more than two days you need to see a dentist pronto.
Finally, make sure that your gums are not inflamed or swollen. This tends to signal that there’s a bacterial infection somewhere in your mouth that needs to get eradicated before it spreads (or something’s digging into the gums).
3. Persistent Tooth or Jaw Pain
If your tooth or jaw feels sore and the feeling won’t go away, schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. This pain tends to signal that either something’s lodged in the jaw or that there’s a cavity/abscess in the tooth. Click here to learn more about what you can do to counter jaw pain.
4. Tooth Damage
Check your teeth to make sure there are no cracks or gaps. Noticing tooth damage (or an adult tooth that’s loose or starting to come out) means you need to see a dentist soon to prevent the damage from worsening.
5. Missing Fillings
While fillings are put into your teeth to help combat cavities, sometimes they break loose and fall out of your mouth. If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure they get replaced as soon as possible to prevent bacteria from growing in the vacant spot.
Go to the Dentist Today
And there you have it! If you’ve noticed any of the signs mentioned in this guide on when to go to the dentist, you need to schedule an appointment right now! And for more information on preserving your dental health, make sure to check out the rest of the articles on our blog!
Levi Armstrong
•4 months ago
Thanks for telling me that I should see a dentist if I have persistent tooth pain because I may have tooth decay or dental abscess. My sister Abby has complained about her toothaches for about a week now. I’ll suggest to Mom later that Abby sees a dentist soon.