If you suffer a dental emergency, such as knocking out a tooth or feeling severe tooth pain, you know to call your dentist right away. But for smaller issues with your smile, you might dismiss the symptoms. However, sometimes, these minor concerns might point to a serious issue with your dental health.
So do not wait until your next routine dentist appointment to deal with any persistent problems with your smile. Reviewing examples of these potential issues can encourage you to seek an urgent dental evaluation. Read on to find three small-scale dental concerns that could be symptoms of larger oral health problems.
Bleeding Gums
Sometimes, your gums might bleed for acute reasons, such as harsh teeth-brushing techniques or a cut in the mouth. But bleeding during your regular oral hygiene routine is not a normal occurrence. If you notice persistent bleeding in your gum tissue, this could point to gum disease.
Gum disease refers to a common type of oral infection of the gum tissue. Along with bleeding, patients might see swelling and soreness in the gums.
This infection can easily spread and cause irreversible damage to your smile, including tooth loss. So seek early intervention to treat gum disease. It will not go away on its own and is easier to resolve when diagnosed and treated sooner.
Tooth Sensitivity
If you have bitten into a cold or sweet food and felt a sharp jolt of pain in your tooth, you know how excruciating tooth sensitivity can be. But sensitivity pain fades when the stimulus to the tooth is removed, so because it is intermittent, many people think they can tolerate the symptom and wait to tell their dentist.
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the outer layer of the tooth, enamel, erodes or wears down to expose nerves in the interior of the tooth. When an external element touches the nerves, they transmit pain signals to the brain.
Enamel might erode for many reasons, but weakening in the dental structure puts the tooth at risk for cavities and other dental dangers. In fact, you might feel tooth sensitivity pain if you have advanced tooth decay.
Visiting a dentist to pinpoint the cause and treat the issue is worth scheduling a separate dental appointment. You do not have to endure pain or discomfort in your smile.
Chronic Bad Breath
Bad-smelling breath can affect the best of us after an aromatic or flavorful meal. But the symptom should go away when you rinse or scrub away lingering food particles through your oral hygiene regimen.
If bad breath, also known as halitosis, becomes chronic, it could point to a larger dental problem. You might develop halitosis if you have severe cases of gum disease or tooth decay.
Or it could occur if you have dry mouth, which can occur as a side effect of certain medications or health conditions. Consult with your dentist to ensure your smile stays fresh and healthy.