9 Weighty Reasons to Visit a Dentist
Regular dental exams are crucial for maintaining oral health since they provide preventative care and early diagnosis of any problems. However, there are some cases where it is critical to see the dentist between regular checks. Whether it's unusual pain, apparent changes in your mouth, or a specific health concern, regular dental checkups can help you treat issues before they worsen. Understanding the reasons for these intermediate visits will help you maintain good dental health and avoid significant problems. Dental checkups are essential for maintaining good oral health, but there are some reasons why it's crucial to visit the dentist between exams.
1. Feeling pain or swelling in your mouth
Tooth pain, sensitivity, and gum swelling can indicate anything from minor irritation to more serious dental issues, such as cavities, a fractured tooth, or infection. Temporary mild discomfort may improve independently, but anything more than that may require professional treatment.
2. Tender, swollen, or bleeding gums
Pale buildup along the gum line is the most likely cause of gum disease, gingivitis. Eventually, it leads to tooth loss and advanced gum and jaw bone disease called periodontitis. Ill-fitting dentures or dental appliances can also cause these symptoms, an underlying health condition, or vitamin deficiency.
3. You're pregnant or considering getting pregnant
Oral health is an essential part of prenatal care, as hormone fluctuations in pregnancy increase the risk of gingivitis and cavities. If gingivitis goes untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which has been linked to poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.
4. Having a chronic medical condition
Chronic diseases and their side effects are directly linked to oral health issues and vice versa, and specific treatments for chronic diseases can affect oral health. Some of the chronic conditions linked to oral health problems include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, respiratory conditions, and cancer. Regular dental checkups and visiting a dental clinic between checkups for any issues that arise are essential if you're living with a chronic illness.
5. Your jaw is painful, stiff, or locks
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) can cause pain, stiffness, and locking in the jaw joint or surrounding muscles. These disorders affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the skull and can lead to difficulty chewing, speaking, and other daily activities. A dentist can help diagnose and treat TMDs through a comprehensive examination. Treatment options can range from conservative approaches like oral splints or mouthguards, physical therapy, and stress management techniques to more advanced interventions such as medications, injections, or, in severe cases, surgery.
6. Spots or other changes in your mouth
Infection, irritation, benign tumors, tumor-like changes, or oral cancers can all cause changes to the appearance or texture of your lips, the lining inside your mouth, or your gums or tongue. See your dentist immediately if you notice any abnormal changes in your mouth.
7. You are not happy with your smile
Smiling can improve your health, boost happiness, and increase your life span by seven years. Cosmetic dentistry procedures can enhance your smile and boost your confidence by correcting crooked teeth, gaps and uneven teeth, stained and discolored teeth, cracked or damaged teeth, and receiving gums.
8. Persistent bad breath
Everyone deals with bad breath (halitosis) at one point or another, but if you have bad breath even after brushing, an underlying dental or health issue may be to blame. A dentist can find out what's causing your bad breath and help you treat it.
9. Dry mouth
Dry mouth often goes hand in hand with halitosis, medically known as xerostomia, which occurs when a major decrease in saliva production occurs. Certain medications, mouth breathing due to sinus and respiratory issues, and problems with the salivary glands can cause dry mouth.