A lot of people avoid going to the dentist. Some people are scared of visiting a dental office, while others are worried about how much it might cost.
Some dental problems are too minor to notice, which some are simply ignored because they don’t cause any significant issues. However, the longer you wait to get your teeth problems treated to worse, it will be for your dental health.
Well, these are six signs that you can’t ignore the dentist any longer.
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1. Gum Changes
One thing you can’t ignore is changes to your gums. Receding gums, bleeding gums, pain, or swelling are all bad signs. You could have gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis. These sorts of issues have to be addressed as soon as possible.
They will only get worse and more uncomfortable for you. Make it a point to always check your gums so that you can see any changes; even a color change may be a cause for concern.
2. Misalignment
A dental misalignment is something many people ignore, thinking the issue is cosmetic, so it doesn’t seem so important. This isn’t the case. Misaligned teeth are prone to injury, like chips, and they are also harder to clean, so cavities can easily develop. You don’t want any of these issues because they could cause serious dental problems in the long run.
The good thing is your dentist will have a solution for you, and if you’re looking for a discreet solution, then there’s Invisalign. All you have to do is search for “Invisalign near me,” and you’ll see options.
3. Sensitivity
Another problem you can’t ignore is hot and cold sensitivity. Enjoying food is going to be challenging for you if you can’t handle varying temperatures. This can happen if you have tooth decay. At this point, the decay is pretty deep and is causing you to have this sensitivity. This isn’t a good thing because it will only worsen and be harder to deal with.
Now, the issue could be something else, so talk to your dentist to find out what’s wrong. It could be weak enamel, and your oral professional may use fluoride to strengthen the enamel.
4. Toothache
You can’t ignore tooth pain even if you want to. This usually means there’s an infection that your dentist has to handle. The issue is deep within your tooth. The pain may go away at some point if you rinse with salt water or use other temporary solutions, but this doesn’t mean the issue is gone. It just means the infection has lessened a bit.
The pain will only get worse over time, and you could lose your tooth. The solution could be a simple filling, or you might need a crown. Your dentist will need to evaluate the situation to find out.
5. White Spots
It’s important to pay attention to your teeth as much as possible. One change you don’t want to see is little white spots around your teeth. These may just seem like a strange discoloration, but they usually aren’t. You won’t be able to brush them away. These could be signs of tooth decay.
After seeing these spots, the next thing that could happen is tooth pain. You don’t want to let the decay get that far, especially because you can do something about it now. Have your dentist evaluate your oral health to find out what’s going on.
6. Growths
You don’t want to see any type of growth in your mouth. Growths can show up in many ways. For example, there could be lesions, lumps, or sores. These issues could mean something is seriously wrong. Sure, sometimes, they are nothing more than just some sort of injury. If that’s the case, your dentist will take care of it for you, but the problem is that it could be something else.
Growths, especially persistent ones, could be a sign of oral cancer. Sometimes, people ignore these issues because they don’t seem too severe, but that is dangerous for your health.
Preventative care is critical here. It keeps your teeth safe in the long run. As you reach your teen years, you must start visiting your dentist every once in a while. A regular dental checkup can detect any changes in your teeth and help restore your dental health for years to come.
Author Bio: Written by Meghan Hale, a content writer, and editing machine. She is working with Pearl Lemon Accountants. You’ll find me yelling at my dog to stop barking, whether it be at the neighbors or on a long afternoon walk