Dental Denial: How to Tell When You Have an Oral Health Issue

One of the main reasons why it is important to see a dentist is because out of every 10 diseases, 9 of them cause symptoms in your mouth hence your dentist is better placed to spot any grave health issue. There are various oral health issues that one should not ignore. These include: pain in the jaw, gum, or tooth. If you have bleeding gums and your teeth are loose, a recurring bad breath and lumps, sores or irregular patches in the mouth. These symptoms call for an immediate visit to the dentist.

Gum Diseases

The only reversible stage of gum disease is gingivitis, if left unchecked, it can lead to periodontitis, which is more destructive. Gum diseases may have no warnings thus it is important to visit the dentist at the first sign of gingivitis, you can also practice proper oral hygiene by brushing twice a day, having a balanced diet and regular visits to the dentist.

Missing Teeth

On average, adults between 24-64 years have 3 or more decayed, decaying or already have missing teeth. A dentist in San Angelo, knows that missing molars have a major effect on how you chew. The remaining teeth can shift or loss of bones around the missing tooth, however technology has allowed for remedies like dentures, and in cases of decaying teeth, use of fillings which are used to fill in the decayed tooth parts. Various metals are used as filling, e.g. gold, porcelain, plastic resins, etc. If you have decaying teeth it might be time to see the dentist.

Sensitivity

You know you have sensitive teeth if hot food or drinks make you wince, or if cold food or drinks give you the same reaction. Sensitivity can be caused by fractured teeth, decay or cavities, worn out enamel, gum diseases, or even an exposed tooth root. Sensitivity can be treated through desensitizing toothpaste. Again, proper dental care and hygiene is key in preventing this.

Dry Mouth

A constantly dry mouth needs to be checked out by the dentist, who will check for decay resulting from a decrease in the flow of saliva. Saliva has a cleansing effect on teeth and a decrease in its flow will result in oral health issues such as oral candidiasis and fungal infections, especially for those using inhalers. Asthma patients are therefore encouraged to be rinsing their mouths after use of the inhaler.

If you happen to have any of the above symptoms, visiting the dentist might save you more in the future before the above symptoms turn into something serious. Always remember your dental appointments.