A lot of us are pretty bad when it comes to ignoring dental issues. We feel that tinge of pain, we notice something looking a bit wobbly, and we just tell ourselves that it will probably be fine if we just stop looking at it and leave it alone.
But deep down, we all know that the longer we ignore dental issues, the worse they are going to get. What’s more, we know that most of them can be solved with a quick trip to the dentist. Here are a just a few warning signs that you should always talk to the dentist about.
Tooth Pain
Let’s start with a classic, shall we? Tooth pain and jaw pain are very common issues, and they are probably a sign that you have developed a cavity through tooth decay. However, there are other issues that this could be a symptom of.
You could have a nasty abscess, or an impacted tooth. It could also be a warning sign of gum disease. If you start to notice pain in your tooth or jaw, then make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. If you ignore it, the tooth might end up having to be removed.
A Missing Or Cracked Tooth
Losing a tooth is always a bit of a shock, whether it’s the result of an injury or a side-effect of an illness or treatment. The same is true of a cracked or chipped tooth, one of those injuries that we don’t notice until we pick ourselves back up and inspect the damage. If you don’t enjoy going to the dentist, there can be a temptation to leave it as long as you can, but again: this can lead to further issues.
Leaving a broken tooth untended can cause additional pain and damage, and a missing tooth should be replaced to avoid damage to the jaw and bone loss. Dental implants are an excellent option to replace missing teeth, and any dental practice that offers a dental implant service will also offer veneers to fix damaged, crooked or stained teeth to help you get that confident smile back. You can learn more about veneers at Oracle Dental, which offers a free pre-treatment consultation.
Bleeding Gums
It can be easy to dismiss bleeding gums as a problem that will simply go away, or an issue that you’ve created yourself by flossing too much for example. But the simple truth is that your gums should not be bleeding, and if they are, then there is a problem.
Bleeding gums can often be a sign of gingivitis. Gingivitis is one of the first stages on the road to gum disease. It’s estimated that 90% of adults in the UK have some form of gum disease but it is reversible with treatment and better oral hygiene. However, bleeding gums can also be a sign of other health issues. If you have noticed that your gums are particularly sore, or that you have sores in your mouth that are not going away after a week or two, it’s really important that you talk to your dentist as soon as possible.