If you have severe tooth pain, you know you need to call your dentist to find relief with prompt dental intervention. But do you need to contact your dentist if you notice smaller concerns in your smile?
Sometimes a small change or issue in your oral health may point to a major dental problem. You should seek a dental evaluation with any concerns about your smile just in case. Ignoring a symptom may allow the issue to worsen and could result in permanent dental damage. Read on to find three seemingly minor dental problems that may require urgent treatment from your dentist.
Should I Call My Dentist About These Issues?
Tooth Sensitivity
If you feel a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth when biting into sugary or cold foods, you might have tooth sensitivity. This can occur when the enamel, the outer layer of your tooth, wears down, exposing the interior of your tooth.
The dentin layer of the tooth contains nerves that will send pain signals to your brain if stimulated by elements like ice cream, frosting, or cold soft drinks. Weakened enamel will mean that your tooth is vulnerable to dental dangers like plaque and bacteria. It could also be a symptom of larger dental damage like advanced tooth decay.
Enamel will not regenerate once deteriorated, but your dentist can replace thinned enamel with restorative dental solutions. A dental crown will cover a tooth, block stimulation from reaching nerves, keep the tooth safe, and alleviate tooth sensitivity.
Though this pain seems intermittent, it can be excruciating. You do not have to suffer through this discomfort. Seek a prompt evaluation of this issue in case it stems from a more severe dental condition.
Bleeding Gums
Sometimes, your gums may bleed for acute reasons like harsh teeth brushing. But if bleeding from the gums becomes a frequent problem, it may mean that you have gum disease.
This refers to an infection in the gum tissue that causes inflamed gums and may progress to reach the teeth and the jawbone. If it advances this way, it can cause irreversible damage to your smile, including tooth loss.
Gum disease requires treatment from a dentist to get rid of, so call your dentist as soon as you can for intervention. It is easier to treat when it is diagnosed sooner, so do not delay.
They will clean the gums thoroughly to eliminate excess bacteria. They may also give you an antibacterial rinse to balance the mouth’s natural bacteria and keep the infection at bay.
Chronic Bad Breath
Bad-smelling breath can affect the best of us after an oniony or garlicky meal. But this issue should go away when you clean your mouth with your oral hygiene routine. With this regimen, you get rid of lingering food particles that can decay and produce this foul odor.
If bad breath persists or becomes chronic, you might have an underlying medical condition or dental problem creating this symptom. Consult your dentist to determine its cause and receive appropriate treatment. It could be dangerous tooth decay, so do not wait until your next routine visit to talk to your dentist.