Dental Care: 2 Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore
Regular dental visits and vigilant dental hygiene at home can both help you keep most dental problems such as tooth decay and bad breath at bay. Unfortunately, many folks leave more time between dental visits than they should, which can often lead to dental issues developing. By the time signs such as bleeding and toothache start manifesting, the problem could be advanced. This article focuses on 2 dental symptoms to be on the lookout for so you can get early treatment and prevent dental complications.
Mouth and gum changes
While brushing, make it a habit to occasionally use a mirror to inspect your tongue, cheeks, and under the tongue. If you notice any white/red patches on soft tissue, alert your dentist immediately. Such mouth changes could point to injury in the tissue that could expose you to inflammation and painful sores.
Gum changes such as reddening or swelling should also warrant an immediate visit to your dentist, as they often point to inflammation caused by gum disease. In its early stages, gum disease tends to be painless, but it causes the gum tissue to recede and bleed over time, eventually resulting in tooth loss. Other indicators that your gums may be infected by bacteria include pus or odors forming in the tissue. You may also notice gaps forming between teeth as your gums recede, and you could eventually even see part of the teeth roots.
The best solution to halting gum disease is to go for professional tooth cleaning, where hardened plaque inside your gum pockets is flushed out, removing the bacterial infestation that causes the disease.
Whitish spots on enamel
If you notice white spots on the surface of your teeth, you should schedule a dental appointment immediately. Such spots often occur when your teeth start to succumb to decay, often due to the presence of long sitting tartar on your teeth that harbors bacteria. These bacteria produce acid that gradually eats away at your teeth, resulting in white spots that later develop to cavities.
In many cases, the spots start developing between teeth, as these areas are especially prone to harboring bacteria due to their inaccessibility during brushing. It thus helps to stay on top of your dental visits, as dentists are able to use x-rays to spot hidden decay.
If you ignore white spots on your teeth, you may eventually have to get expensive fillings to seal cavities and risk having your inner teeth infected.