Did you know that 34.5 percent of adults in the USA didn’t visit a dentist in a twelve-month period before the COVID-19 pandemic?
Avoiding dental work can have major repercussions. Problems often become more serious and more expensive further down the line.
You may be asking yourself, ‘do I need dental work’? And although we cannot give you a definitive answer to that question here, you should book an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible if you’re suffering from any of the five issues below.
Continue reading for five tell-tale signs that you may require dental work.
1. Pain
Tooth pain is a fairly obvious sign that you should pay a visit to your dental surgery, especially if it’s severe.
There are a few DIY treatment options if the tooth pain is minor, but you should consult a dentist to understand the cause of the problem. Treatment is dependent on the cause, so it’s vitally important to get an accurate diagnosis from a professional.
Among countless reasons, mouth pain can happen because of tooth decay, a tooth abscess, gum disease, a tooth fracture, a damaged filling, clenching your teeth, or grinding your jaw. Only a dentist can determine the cause of your discomfort. And treating the underlying issue by getting dental work may help you avoid pain in the future.
It’s a good idea to address the problem before it arises by applying simple preventive measures such as brushing and flossing your teeth properly and making healthy lifestyle choices.
2. Bleedings Gums
Spitting lots of blood into the sink after brushing your teeth is not a good sign. It usually means you may be developing gingivitis or gum disease, also known as periodontitis. This infection of the gums will cause inflammation, damaging the soft tissue at the center of your teeth.
A dentist can examine your gums and share his professional assessment. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to loose teeth and eventually tooth loss.
Gum disease happens in stages, but it’s easy for a patient to restore healthy gums if treated early. Only a dentist can give you the right treatment plan for you.
Pay attention to other signs of gum disease including red, swollen, or tender gums, formations of deep pockets between the teeth and gums, bad breath, and receding gums.
3. Dry Mouth or Bad Breath
Treating dry mouth is essential for maintaining good oral health. Saliva keeps the mouth clean by washing away debris and protecting you against germs, and it also contains proteins and minerals that protect tooth enamel.
If your mouth is very dry, it could be a sign of illness. A dentist can determine the cause, also offering you personalized advice and effective methods to restore moisture in the mouth.
Dry mouth can often lead to bad breath, and you should visit your local dental surgery if you’re unable to solve this problem yourself. That’s because, as well as affecting your confidence, bad breath can also be a warning sign towards more worrying health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, abscesses, or gingivitis.
4. Loose Teeth
As an adult, having a wobbly tooth is far less exciting than it was when you were seven years old. It’s often caused by gum disease or trauma, and the treatment will always depend on the cause.
A loose tooth may be a sign of infection, bone loss, or even cancer. You should get it checked out by a dentist as soon as possible. If there’s an infection, getting dental work early and swiftly can ensure it doesn’t spread.
Your dentist will choose the best option, whether it be to save the tooth, remove it, or replace it with an implant or bridge. You’ll stand a better chance of avoiding expensive and invasive dental work by visiting the dentist as soon as the problem arises.
5. Oral Lesions
If you have a canker sore that does not appear to be resolving itself, you should seek professional advice. It’s time to visit the dentist if it lingers for two weeks or becomes infected.
A canker sore that is refusing to leave you could be oral cancer, or a variety of other medical conditions such as gastrointestinal tract disease, celiac disease, or Crohn’s disease. Getting it checked out can put your mind at ease.
And other oral lesions can be recognized and diagnosed through a complete dental examination. A common example is thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, which is a fungal infection that appears as white sores on the tongue, tonsils, inner cheek, or roof of the mouth. A dentist will treat thrush with an antifungal medication.
What Now?
If you are suffering from any of these issues, you can search online to find qualified and experienced dentists in your area. The best dental websites offer patients a five-star experience.
Your dentist will create a sound treatment plan, outlining exactly what they recommend to ensure good oral hygiene. By speaking to them regarding your situation, you can follow a plan with realistic goals and expectations within budget. They’ll likely schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your progress.
Don’t Run From Dental Work
Perhaps these problems seem small now, but, untreated, they can evolve into a much more significant issue. You can save yourself pain, money, and anxiety by visiting a dentist sooner rather than later.
And you may not even require more dental work than a cleaning, but your dentist can give you the tools and the know-how to maintain good oral health.
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