12 Signs You Need to See a Dentist
It’s easy to brush off the idea of seeing a dentist. You might think, “My teeth are fine.” or “I’m gonna make an appointment soon.” But there are many signs that may be telling you it’s time for a dental visit. In the case of adults, the most common is that your teeth are yellow or stained. Other reasons include sores in the mouth, gum disease, tooth pain, and cavities. If you’re not sure if it’s time to schedule an appointment with your dentist, here are 12 signs you should probably make it happen.
01. You Have Pain
If you have been experiencing increased pain in your teeth, jaw, or gums, it may be time to see a dentist. Dental-related pain is a symptom of a problem that requires examination and treatment by a professional. Some common causes of tooth-related pain include tooth decay, tooth infection, or gum disease.
02. Your Gums Are Acting Up
Dental health is essential not only for your overall oral health but also for your overall health. If you find your gums are swollen or bleeding while brushing and flossing, or you have a family history of gum disease (It caused by plaque formation, a sticky, bacterial film that can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease). It’s time to book an appointment with your dentist.
03. You Try to Hide Your Smile
Dental health is important for both your appearance and your overall health. Unfortunately, missing teeth can make it difficult to chew or speak clearly, and even you may feel embarrassed smiling in public, which can greatly impact your quality of life. But you don’t want to hide your smile and hope for smiling with confidence and pride. So it’s time to see your dentist get your teeth fixed.
04. You’ve Had Dental Work Done
If you’ve had any dental work done, such as fillings, crowns, dental implants, or dentures, you may require to visit your dentist for a dental checkup frequently. Your dentist will check on the healing of your dental work and recommend any additional dental procedures.
05. You Have Ongoing Medical Issues
If you are going through any ongoing medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, or HIV positive, your oral health may also be affected. To maintain optimal oral health, you need to see your dentist and ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.
06. You’re Pregnant
Some dental problems can be worse because of the pregnancy. So, expectant mothers are often advised to see a dentist during pregnancy to ensure their dental health and the baby’s as well. According to the American Dental Association, pregnant women should schedule a dental appointment in the second half of pregnancy so that they have plenty of time to undergo much-needed procedures.
07. You’re Having Trouble Eating
Do you find that you have difficulty swallowing down food or that your food tastes unpleasant? Do you wake up with headaches every morning, or is your mouth full of cavities? These are just some of the many signs that could indicate that you need to see a dentist.
08. You Have Dry Mouth
If you have a dry mouth, there’s a good chance you need to see a dentist. Signs of dry mouth can include burning or scratchiness, an inability to speak or swallow, and increased thirst. It could indicate that you’re suffering from a dry mouth because of an underlying health problem, including the following: cancer treatments, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Sjogren syndrome. In addition, a lack of saliva can lead to tooth decay because saliva helps neutralize the acids in our mouths that cause bacteria to grow.
09. You Use Any Kind of Tobacco
Tobacco is a leading cause of tooth decay, gum disease, and mouth cancer. So you should make sure you see your dentist every six months for an exam.
10. You’re Having Jaw Pain
Did you know that jaw pain could be a sign of tooth decay, mouth infection, or temporomandibular joint disorder? You should visit your dentist when you feel uncomfortable to determine what the cause is and if treatment is needed.
11. Your Mouth Has Spots and Sores
It’s not uncommon for your mouth to have spots or sores, but if it’s a chronic thing, you may need to see a dentist. Conditions like canker sores, oral cancer, and herpes simplex virus can cause mouth ulcers. Other systemic conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or autoimmune disorders can also be the culprits.
12. It’s Time For Your Checkup
It’s important to maintain your oral health and see a dentist every six months (At least once a year) for a check-up to prevent other health problems caused by dental issues. Even if you don’t have any of the above signs, it’s still important to get your teeth and gums checked out by a dentist. When you go to the dentist, they can diagnose any problems you might be experiencing and schedule appropriate treatment. They’ll also instruct you on how best to care for your teeth and prevent further issues from developing.
How to find the best dentist
The best way to find the right dentist is to ask friends and family members for referrals. This can be done by asking your colleagues or kids’ schoolmates’ parents. You can also use Google or other search engines to find your local dentists. For example, if you’re living in Dallas, Texas, and looking for the best and most affordable dentist for this location, simply write down “Affordable dentist Dallas TX” in the search field and hit the search button. It will show a list of dentists practicing dentistry in your location. Then, go through their websites to know their services and read previous patient reviews to understand how efficient they are. It’s worth checking out reviews on Google My Business, Yelp, or Healthgrades.
Finally, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms that we discussed, it is advised that you set up an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The importance of seeing a dentist is not something that anyone should take lightly. Unfortunately, the truth is that many of us do not live in ideal conditions, and our teeth will suffer the consequences eventually.
