Whether you’re secretly afraid of the dentist or just too busy because of a hectic work schedule, failing to have a yearly dental checkup can lead to some major oral health issues.
If you have have been experiencing pain in and around your mouth, then you need to visit your local Heroes Dental. Regular visits to your dentist are of utmost importance as they can spot oral health problems early on.
The following five signs are commonly related to poor oral health issues:
1. BAD BREATH
Poor oral hygiene is one of the leading factors of bad breath. Known medically as halitosis, bad breath is due to plaque-causing bacteria in your teeth and gums. This bacteria is what causes an odor and is also one of the first signs of gingivitis.
Gingivitis, if left untreated, can cause periodontitis followed by tooth loss and other serious health conditions.
In order to prevent this, it’s recommended you brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes, twice a day. But if you believe that your bad breath is persistent no matter your efforts, then you may have gingivitis.
Before this type of condition advances, it’s important to visit your dentist immediately.
Brush at least 2x a day for 2 minutes each time #HeroesDental #toothtip Click To Tweet2. TOOTH PAIN
When toothaches spontaneously strike, many times the easy fix is to take some over the counter painkillers. What you must remember is that no type of pain is normal and that experiencing a toothache maybe a sign that there’s something wrong going on in your mouth.
Pain is your bodies way of telling you that a problem is arising and tooth pains are commonly related to an infection.
Taking care of a tooth infection is definitely something you DO NOT want to put on hold, even if the pain fades a bit, as the root cause of the infection may still be there and lead something much more serious.
Our quality family dentists at Heroes Dental can detect and help to ease the pain and issue at hand.
3. HEADACHES
You’ve probably had a headache at some point in your life, especially as they’re common at any age and can be caused by a multitude of reasons. But one of the causes that people often overlook when a headache strikes is their oral health, and many times, it’s the real leading cause.
One dental problem that provokes headaches can be teeth grinding while you’re asleep. Teeth grinding is typically a subconscious reaction that can lead to chronic headaches but which can be fixed with the help of the right night guard.
4. SWOLLEN GUMS
If your gums are swollen, our team of experts at Heroes Dental recommend that you immediately book a dental appointment.
Swollen gums are no joke, as they’re one of the leading symptoms of gingivitis. And as we previously mentioned with BAD BREATH, gingivitis leads to periodontitis which can cause early tooth loss.
Generally speaking, inflamed gums are caused by an accumulation of hardened plaque under your gum line.
5. SENSITIVITY TO HOT AND COLD
Experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold consumptions is an indication of tooth decay. But what exactly is it that’s decaying?
Enamel is the layer on the outermost surface of your teeth, so when decay begins to occur, it first affects this region. When decay advances, it affects the nerves and blood vessels in the center of teeth, which heightens their sensitivity to variation in temperatures.
Decay can ultimately cause cavities, which aren’t only painful but costly as well.
Let Heroes Dental family dentistry be there for you whenever you notice any of these 5 signs of bad oral health.
If you’re experiencing any of these oral pains or signs, do not wait to book an appointment with Heroes Dental. A healthy smile is our number one priority.
Our experts are conveniently located throughout South Texas with offices in Laredo, Mission, San Juan, McAllen, Pharr, and Edinburg.