Are you experiencing oral discomfort or pain? Patients often wonder when they need to make a dental appointment because it is not always clear what is normal and what is not. There are many important signs to look out for that you need to make a dental appointment.
1. Schedule a Dental Appointment if You Are Experiencing Pain
You definitely need to make a dental appointment if you are experiencing pain in your teeth or gums. Pain is your body trying to tell you that something is wrong. Putting things off and delaying treatment only makes things worse and increases the odds that you will require extensive dental work in the future.
A toothache is the most common type of pain that could indicate the presence of tooth decay, which is caused by bacteria eating away at your enamel. This may mean that you need a dental filling. Putting off this type of pain treatment may mean that the infection spreads to the dental pulp, requiring a root canal procedure.
If your regular dentist is unavailable to see you, you should contact an emergency dentist who can help to alleviate your pain and provide a temporary treatment until you can make a regular appointment. Do not put off needed treatment or try to grin and bear it. Pain is an indication that immediate attention is required.
2. Bleeding Gums
It is not uncommon to experience minor temporary bleeding in your gums when you overdo it with vigorous brushing or flossing. But if this is an ongoing oral health problem, it could be an indication of something more serious like the development of gum disease. Common symptoms of gum disease include gums that are red, inflamed, or swollen. They might bleed easily when you brush or floss.
If the cause of your bleeding gums is gum disease, early detection and treatment are vital. Although gum disease is a serious condition, it is reversible with early intervention.
3. Loose Teeth
If you are an adult, you should never have a loose or wiggly tooth. Your teeth should be firmly anchored within your mouth and last for a lifetime. You should take it seriously if you are noticing any movement with your teeth or widening gaps that could indicate an infection or bone loss. You should also be on the lookout for changes in your bite. Any of these signs should prompt you to make a dental appointment.
4. Receding Gums Necessitate a Dental Appointment
Some degree of gum recession can be expected during the normal aging process. Many people over the age of 65 experience some gum recession around a tooth. Gum recession can also indicate gum disease. The gums help protect the delicate roots of your teeth, and recession could increase your odds of developing an infection, decay, pain, or eventual tooth loss. If you experience any of these oral health issues, you need to make an appointment to receive dental care to help stop or reverse the process.
5. Toothache
As obvious as it may sound, experiencing a toothache is definitely a reason for scheduling an appointment. Pain should not be ignored because it is an indication that you may have a problem like an abscess, a cavity, a damaged filling, or a broken tooth. Only your dentist can make the determination of what is causing your pain and treat it so that you can avoid future problems.
Call Lovett Dental Gulfgate to Schedule Your Dental Appointment
Do not put off receiving important dental treatment. When your mouth experiences pain, this is its way of alerting you that something is wrong.
If you are experiencing any discomfort in your mouth or teeth, seek an immediate dental appointment. Call Lovett Dental Gulfgate at 713-847-8822 to schedule an appointment today.