If you don’t feel good about your oral health, you are more likely to hide those pearly whites. When your teeth are in good health, the more confident you’ll feel about showing them off. Your teeth are one of the most important aspects of your appearance, so why not take care of them?Preventative dentistry is like a car, the more you properly maintenance your oral health, the less likely you’ll run into bigger problems. Your hygienist will likely recommend that you come in twice a year if not more frequently for a dental cleaning that is more thorough than you are able to do on your own.
Here are five signs that you need to see your dentist:
- Bad breath– Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone. Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances and cavities.
- Food getting trapped– Periodontal disease is a serious issue that must be dealt with by a professional. It can cause a host of dental problems, with the main ones being loss of bone and gum tissue. Individuals with periodontal disease may experience drifting or shifting of the their teeth that can lead to gaps that can catch food; cavities between or within teeth can also grab food particles and trap them.
- Bleeding gums– Swollen and bleeding gums are not normal, this is a sign of gum disease. When people don’t practice proper dental hygiene, bacteria in the mouth forms plaque on the teeth. Bacteria may cause your gums to become inflamed resulting in red, swollen, or bleeding gums. If you catch gingivitis early, it can be reversed and healed with proper oral hygiene, but left untreated, gingivitis can worsen and ultimately lead to tooth loss.
- Tooth is longer– Gum recession is the process in which the gum tissue that surrounds the teeth wears away and pulls back, exposing more of the tooth, or the tooth’s root. When recession occurs it creates pockets in between your gums and spacing allowing bacteria to build up. Gum recession can be caused by a number of factors including: periodontal disease, genetics, aggressive tooth brushing, insufficient dental care and hormonal changes.
- Puffy gums/ Rolling gums– Most swelling of the gums is due to one cause: bacterial plaque. That white, filmy debris that congregates along the gum lines and on the surface of your teeth causes not only cavities, but gum infections as well. That’s because the plaque builds up along the margin of the gum lines and also begins to creep in underneath the gum pocket, infecting the gums from the inside out.
Are you currently experiencing one or more of these symptoms? Contact us today to set up an appointment!
