Maintaining proper dental hygiene should be an essential part of an individual’s daily routine. Since childhood, we have all been reminded to brush twice a day for healthier, decay-free teeth. Moreover, we have all been informed about the benefits of flossing our teeth right after every meal. Taking care of our teeth is vital in ensuring they stay clean and proper in the long run.

However, even after having a proper dental hygiene routine, getting your teeth regularly checked with a dentist is also necessary. Timely check-ups can help detect any issues before they worsen and aggravate. Before you feel the need to hit google and type in ‘emergency doctors near me’ during throbbing toothaches, get yourself an appointment right when you see a sign of deteriorating dental health.

Here we mention seven signs that you need to book an appointment with the dentist as soon as possible without delay.

1- Tooth Ache

Toothache is excruciatingly painful. If you have suffered before, you would know how torturous a painful tooth can be. Toothache happens when the nerves inside your gums start getting affected by the decay. When the bacteria inside your mouth roots a tooth, it deteriorates it to the point where the decay reaches down to the nerve ends. This is when you start feeling pain in your teeth.

A painful tooth is quite difficult to ignore. However, when the process starts, it initially is not very bad. The fact about tooth pain is that it starts as a slight discomfort and goes on to become awfully unbearable. The best move is to visit the dentist immediately when you feel slight tingling and discomfort in any of your teeth. Curing the toothache with pain killers is a very temporary solution.

2- Inflamed Gums

Adequate dental hygiene is necessary to prevent gum diseases. Often, if proper dental hygiene is not observed, the germs and bacteria inside the mouth create plaque over the teeth. The bacteria inside the mouth can cause inflammation, swelling and even bleeding through the gums. People with bad gum health usually end up suffering from gingivitis. Even though inflammation during gingivitis is not painful, if treated on time, gingivitis can be cured, and any permanent loss can be avoided. Gingivitis can be treated and entirely reversed by maintaining good oral cleanliness. However, if delayed, it can also result in permanent loss of the affected teeth.

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3- Bad Breath

Your mouth might stink every morning right after you wake up and this is very common. However, having a constant bad odor in your mouth does not indicate good dental health. Suffering from bad mouth odor even after brushing your teeth regularly is not normal. It could be an early sign of impending gingivitis. If this condition is left untreated, in the long run, it can cause periodontists and other major health issues. Badmouth odor calls for an immediate visit to the dental clinic.

Gingivitis is curable if detected on time. However, if left untreated, it can also cause damage beyond repair.

4- Teeth Sensitivity to Extreme Temperatures

If you drink a cup of chocolate smoothie and the cold beverage hurts your teeth, then that may be an indication of tooth damage. Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures can be a sign of eroded enamel.

One type of tooth decay is damage to the outer layer of the teeth which is known as the enamel. When the enamel erodes or the gums regress, tiny veins inside the teeth become exposed. These minute veins are the culprit behind the sensitivity in your teeth. They cause a short, stabbing pain when exposed to hot or cold beverages or food. They can even hurt when exposed to air.

Breaks between the enamel of the tooth can also cause sensitivity. When the cells inside the exposed veins get triggered through a change in temperatures, they cause pain. It is important that a visit to the dental clinic is scheduled if this temperature sensitivity does not subside within three to four days.

5- Teeth Discoloration

Notice white spots appearing on your teeth? This could be a sign of tooth decay. When the enamel on your teeth starts eroding, white spots begin appearing on the surface of your teeth. Bad dental hygiene may result in plaque buildup which can cause teeth to decay and rot. Consequentially, the enamel on the teeth starts getting damaged.

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To ensure that your teeth don’t permanently get affected by tooth decay and discoloration, schedule an immediate appointment with the dentist to get them treated.

6- Sores and Bumps

Those tiny little blisters inside the mouth that cause immense pain are called canker sores. They can be very hurtful and uncomfortable to deal with; however, they might need immediate attention from a dentist.

Canker sores can be caused by infection, hormonal disturbances, stress or deficit of some necessary vitamins inside the body. Whatever the reason be, canker sores usually disappear by a week or so. However, you might need to get some medications to ease the pain and discomfort.

If the sores and bumps are persistent and severe, a more extensive treatment such as dental lasers might be required. An immediate appointment with the dentist might be needed the moment you feel a small bump forming inside your mouth. This might help in preventing the sore from turning severe and giving it the appropriate treatment on time.

7- Dry Mouth

The salivary glands inside your mouth are responsible for producing saliva that is used while chewing food. However, some people might suffer from a dry mouth. This is a condition when your mouth’s salivary glands stop producing enough saliva. As a result, your mouth may feel dry or sticky.

Dry mouth often occurs as a side effect to certain medications or health treatments such as chemotherapy drugs during cancer treatment. However, it may also be an indication of other underlying health problems. Dry mouth can also be caused by diabetes, thrush (yeast infection) in your mouth, stroke, etc. If not treated on time, dry mouth can cause severe dental conditions such as mouth sores, tooth decay, gum disease, etc. Hence, an appointment with the dentist needs to be scheduled instantly when you feel any signs of a dry mouth.

Conclusion

Proper dental hygiene is very important in maintaining a healthy set of teeth in the long-run. Regular brushing, flossing, and monthly dental check-ups ensure adequate attention is provided to your dental health. Your decaying teeth need immediate care and treatment. Hence, book an appointment immediately when any of your teeth starts aching the slightest.