To maintain proper oral health, it is ideal that we visit our dentist at least twice a year, or every six months to be exact. But there are instances when you should go see your dentist more often. Even if you’ve just recently visited your dentist or your next scheduled trip is not for another few months, you should see your dentist if you encounter any of these signs.
You have frequent headaches
A headache can be caused by a variety of different circumstances such as stress, lack of sleep, etc. It’s not common at all for a headache to be associated with oral problems. But there could be instances when oral health has got something to do with headaches. It could be the result of your teeth grinding as you sleep, or the common phenomena of wisdom tooth.
If your headache is very persistent and happens too often, you should make a trip to your dentist. He or she will be able to tell you if it’s caused by any oral health issue. If it is, they can recommend medication or more serious treatments like jaw surgery or wisdom tooth extraction, among others.
You experience tooth ache
It’s hard to ignore a tooth ache. And you most certainly should not do so. Tooth aches need to be addressed right away because it can have a serious root cause. Only your dentist will be able to determine what’s causing the discomfort and give you the right remedy. Don’t wait for the issue to worsen before taking that trip to your dentist.
Your gums are swollen
Swollen gums are a sign that you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Often, you won’t feel any pain but that doesn’t mean that you can ignore it. Swollen or inflamed gums can be the result of plaque invading your gum line. It can also be a sign of serious oral diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis.
You notice a foul breath odor
Bad breath isn’t often considered as a serious issue. It can just be caused by the last meal you had or improper hygiene. You can say that bad breath is totally normal and can usually be solved by brushing or gargling mouth wash. But what’s not usual is if it still persist despite your oral hygiene efforts.
Persistent bad breath can be an early sign of oral diseases such as gingivitis. If you regularly brush your teeth and maintain good oral hygiene but still find yourself having bad breath, it’s time to visit your dentist.
You can’t drink hot or cold beverages without your teeth hurting
Teeth are very sensitive to extremely hot or cold temperatures. That’s why you get that tingling sensation when you try to bite on a popsicle. But if the sensitivity is too severe to the point that it hurts when you drink hot or cold beverages, it’s more serious than you think.
Extreme tooth sensitivity is a sign of tooth decay that has made its way to the nerves and blood vessels at the center of your tooth. You might have a cavity that needs to be attended to right away.
A visit to the dentist might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But no matter how much we dread it, we still have to take that trip at least twice a year to ensure our optimal oral health. Although it’s recommended to visit your dentist only every 6 months, you should take that trip immediately if you encounter any of these signs.
