Good dental care is the starting point of great oral health. Regular brushing and flossing, healthy eating, and a dental appointment every six months for an exam and cleaning all add to good oral health. Things happen, however, that make it necessary to see a dentist between those six-month cleaning appointments. No matter how hard you work at it, teeth can need care beyond the normal measures. Lovett Dental Heights can help you determine when the best time is to make a dental appointment and set up routine visits to make your dental care a good habit.
1. Damaged Teeth
A loose tooth may not seem like much, but it could indicate damage to your gums. The tooth will eventually fall out, leaving further problems in conjunction with the space left behind. Cracked or crumbling teeth are prone to decay. This will spread to the healthy teeth on either side of the damaged tooth. Also, there is likely to be a lot of pain either now or in the near future. Make a dental appointment immediately if you notice any damage to a tooth.
2. Temperature Sensitivity
Teeth are supposed to be able to withstand changing temperatures. If you suddenly notice your teeth are extra sensitive, you need to contact the dentist. This sensitivity indicates that something has begun to wear away the enamel on your teeth, and the heat or cold is affecting the nerves lying beneath the enamel. Your dentist may need to coat your teeth if the damage is caught soon enough.
3. Sores or Lumps
Sores or lumps are a definite sign you need to make a dental appointment. Oral health is definitely not good if you are finding these. The most likely cause of these lumps is an abscess under the gums, probably in the root of a tooth. This needs to be treated with an antibiotic. The teeth are very close to the brain, and infection from an untreated abscess can be dangerous. Any sores in your mouth may be simply from irritation of biting the inside of your cheek or something irritating your gums. However, there is always the chance that a sore could be cancer, and these need to be discovered and treated.
4. Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be painful. There are several causes of this condition. At the lower end, you may be brushing too hard or flossing too vigorously. Changing these habits will give your gums a chance to heal. Gingivitis can cause inflammation in your gums. This can be a sign of serious trouble, and you could find yourself eventually losing teeth if your gums start to recede. Certain kinds of blood thinners can also cause bleeding gums. If it is found that this is happening, you might want to talk to the doctor who prescribed the blood thinner and see if there is an alternative.
5. Chronic Bad Breath
Two main oral health conditions can cause chronic bad breath. The first is dental plaque. This thin film covers your teeth and contains bacteria that cause a bad odor. If left untreated, your teeth and gums can become severely damaged. A good cleaning and more attention to dental care can eliminate the problem. Another condition that bad breath can indicate is periodontitis. This is a serious infection that can damage your teeth and infect your jawbone and cause issues there.
Contact Lovett Dental Heights
Here at Lovett Dental Heights, we welcome hearing from you at 832-767-2210 for both a regular and emergency dental appointment. If your regular dental care has not been enough, and you are experiencing any discomfort, reach out, and make an appointment today. Good oral health produces great smiles, and that is what means the most to us.
