If you’ve ever had a toothache, you already know how uncomfortable experiencing tooth pain can be. Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something isn’t right, and if you’re experiencing pain in your mouth that is preventing you from performing everyday activities, it may be time to call your local dentist.
Let’s take a look at five signs it’s time to see the dentist.
1. You Are Experiencing Tooth Pain
While this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how many people don’t visit the dentist when they are experiencing tooth pain. If you’re experiencing constant tooth pain, this is a telltale sign that something is wrong and you should see a dentist right away.
2. Sensitivity To Cold & Hot Temperatures
Hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from tooth sensitivity. Also called dentin hypersensitivity, tooth sensitivity occurs when hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and beverages make your teeth or a tooth sensitive, causing pain. This discomfort is often caused by dentin on the root of your teeth that are exposed. This can happen for many reasons, including receding gums or periodontal disease. Some patients experience tooth sensitivity after using tooth whitening products that have harsh agents, such as peroxide.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your tooth sensitivity, all of which require you to maintain a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing on the regular is a must, and it’s important that you use a low abrasion toothpaste to reduce your tooth sensitivity. Try and stray from acidic foods as well, as these can worsen sensitivity symptoms.
3. Tooth Decay
Tooth decay occurs when your tooth enamel (the hard, outer layer of your teeth) becomes damaged. When you eat or drink items that have a lot of sugar, plaque (a sticky substance that latches onto your teeth) starts to form on your pearly whites. Combined with the sugar from the foods you eat, plaque can damage and weaken your tooth enamel.
4. Bleeding Or Sore Gums
If you’ve started to notice a little bleeding of the gums when you floss or brush your teeth, this is nothing to be concerned about. If you experience long-term bleeding or long-term soreness in the gums, however, you may be at risk for gum disease and should seek a dental professional right away. The buildup of plaque can lead to tartar forming around your teeth and gum line. Once this tartar hardens, it can cause your gums to hurt or bleed.
5. Bad Breath
After you eat a garlic-filled pasta dish or drink a cup of coffee, it’s normal for your breath to smell bad. However, if you’ve noticed that your breath smells bad after brushing and flossing your teeth, there may be an underlying issue going on. Bad breath is a symptom of many things, like gum disease or even a dental cavity. If you’re concerned about your bad breath, schedule an appointment with your dentist so they can inspect your mouth, teeth, and jaw.
As you can see, there are many reasons to visit your dentist. If you suffer from tooth pain, tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, sore gums, or bad breath, contact Charlotte Progressive Dentistry to schedule a dental appointment. We specialize in a variety of professional dental services, including root canal therapy, tooth extractions, teeth whitening, and more. When you visit our dental office in Charlotte, North Carolina, we’ll do everything we can to ensure your visit is comfortable and stress-free. If you have any questions about our professional dental services, or you’d like to learn more about our dental practice, reach out to our friendly team today.
