If you suffer a dental emergency, you know you need to call your dentist right away to receive urgent treatment. But if you notice smaller concerns with your smile, you might wait to talk to your dentist because they seem less severe. However, these problems could be symptoms of larger dental issues that may wreak havoc on your smile.
If at all unsure about something happening with your teeth or gums, reach out to your dentist’s office. They can evaluate the issue and let you know if you require dental intervention. Read on to find three seemingly minor dental issues that you should tell your dentist about to avoid major oral health concerns.
Ask Your Dentist About These Dental Problems
Tooth Sensitivity
Have you noticed a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth when you bite into a cold or sugary food? This could be a sign of tooth sensitivity. This excruciating sensation might come and go, but it could majorly impact your everyday life.
You might feel less inclined to eat certain foods due to this pain, which can lead to nutritional concerns. Tooth sensitivity can occur because of damage to the enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. Enamel may wear down over time for a number of reasons.
Once gone, the enamel will not regrow. And it can leave the inner layers that contain nerves exposed to external elements. If stimulated, these nerves transmit pain signals to the brain, which results in pain from sensitivity.
Tooth sensitivity will usually need treatment from a dentist to resolve. They can replace lost enamel so that the nerves will not get stimulated anymore. But this symptom can also occur due to tooth decay or other dental problems, so you should schedule a dental evaluation.
Bleeding Gums
You may notice your gums bleed for acute reasons, such as harsh teeth brushing. But if bleeding gums persist or you cannot pinpoint a cause, you might have gum disease. This is an infection of the gum tissue.
It begins with inflammation in the gums that will result in swelling, bleeding, and tenderness there. But it can progress to eat away at your jawbone and tooth root, leading to damage that can cause tooth loss.
You will need periodontal therapy from your dentist to get rid of gum disease, so do not delay treating your bleeding gums. Practice good oral hygiene and preventative care to lower your risk of contracting gum disease.
Chronic Bad Breath
Bad-smelling breath can affect the best of us, especially after eating a garlicky meal. You can get rid of most cases of bad breath with your oral hygiene routine, which scrubs away lingering food particles that cause this issue.
However, if bad breath persists and becomes chronic, this could be a sign of a larger problem. It may point to an underlying health condition or it could be a symptom of a dental concern like decay or gum disease. Schedule a visit with your dentist to learn the cause of your bad breath and then find appropriate treatment for the issue.