Six reasons you need to see a dentist now.
If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to stop procrastinating about your health, be sure you don’t overlook your oral health. Getting a checkup every six months is a good start, but if you’re experiencing certain symptoms, you may want to come in sooner rather than later.
Dental problems have a way of sneaking up on a person, and a mild issue now could mean a more serious ― and potentially painful or expensive ― problem later.
What symptoms should set off a red flag? Here are six common ones. If you’re experiencing any of them, it’s a sign you should schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
- Chronic tooth or mouth pain: Do you find yourself chewing on one side of your mouth? Do your jaws or gums ache? Mouth pain can develop so subtly that people barely even notice it. But if yours constantly hurts, it could be a sign of a cavity, cracked tooth, infection or worse.
- Persistent dry mouth: A healthy mouth produces enough saliva to prevent dryness, but if your mouth feels dry most of the time, you should talk to us. Prescription medication is often the culprit, but it can also be a sign of a compromised immune system. Regardless of the cause, chronic dry mouth can lead to bad breath and advanced tooth and gum decay if left to continue.
- Mouth sores that won’t heal: A typical canker sore comes and goes in a few days, but if yours lasts longer than a week it could indicate a nutritional deficiency, immune system problem or gastroenterological disease. Mouth sores can also be very painful, so it’s best to get them treated right away.
- Loose teeth: Unless you’re a little kid, a loose tooth is not normal. Whether it is from an injury or has just become loose over time, it’s a very serious problem that if left untreated could lead to pain, infection or loss of the tooth entirely.
- Loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness: These could be signs of a serious condition called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People with OSA experience short periods of interrupted breathing while asleep, which over time can lead to chronic sleep deprivation and a host of other ailments. Fortunately, OSA can be effectively treated with a dental appliance (similar to a night guard) to help you breathe easier, reduce snoring and get a more restful night’s sleep.
- Bad breath (halitosis): Though sour breath can be caused by poor diet and bad oral hygiene, it could also be a symptom of liver or kidney dysfunction. If it is dental- or diet-related, a dentist will be able to determine the cause and help treat the problem. If it points to a larger health issue, they’ll be able to refer you to a doctor who can help.
If you’re concerned about any of these symptoms, give us a call. We can help decide how serious your problem might be and fit you in for an urgent appointment if you need one.
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