7 Critical Signs to Schedule a Dentist Appointment

Are you worried you might be due a dental check-up?

We’ve all had that dream where our teeth fall out and have woken up with the panic it might be real. Teeth are a vital part of our bodies for eating, but also our self-esteem.

It’s important that you take care of them. But, it’s not always easy to know how often you need them checked, or when to go to the dentist.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for these 7 critical signs that you should schedule a dentist appointment today.

1. You Notice Your Gums Bleed

This may sound familiar, you’re brushing your teeth and when you spit out the toothpaste, you see flecks of red. Or, as part of your new dedication to self-care, you’ve started to floss. When you pull the floss from between teeth, it comes back with blood on it.

It’s not immediately a bad thing, but bleeding gums are a sign to get booked in with your dentist. Leftover particles of food can get caught between your teeth and decompose.

It leaves behind bacteria, which can irritate the gums and make them sensitive. This is especially an issue if your crown fell off. This exposes the inner part of your tooth making it sensitive. This bacteria can also cause severe infection and decay. So, booking crown repairs are vital.

Flossing and brushing proves enough pressure to irritate your inflamed gums further. It can also be a warning of gingivitis. If left unchecked, you could risk tooth decay and tooth loss further down the line so it’s best to get it checked.

2. Your Jaw is Painful

If you have unexplained pain in your jaw, usually worse in the morning you should go to your dentist. It could be a sign of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ is easy to treat if you catch it at the first sign of symptoms.

Jaw pain could also be a sign you’re grinding your teeth in your sleep. Or it could be a sign of a tooth abscess. It could even be a sign that you have a misaligned bite. All the above are treatable, and you shouldn’t ignore them and hope they go away.

3. Your Notice Your Teeth Start to Go Translucent

Next time you’re in front of a mirror have a look at your teeth. Are the edges starting to go a little translucent? This could be a sign of bruxism, the medical term for clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth.

It can take a while to diagnose, because after all if you don’t know you do it at night, how can you tell something’s wrong. Your teeth start to go translucent because you grind the enamel down. If you have this, then it’s important to get a dental check-up as soon as you can.

4. You Spot Plaque Buildup

The usual advice is to go to the dentist at least twice a year to get your teeth cleaned. We’ve all either forgotten to do this or thought it would be ok to cancel and push it off for a while.

You shouldn’t put off your bi-annual checkups. They’re important for keeping your teeth healthy and problem-free. Tartar and plaque can buildup over time, putting you at risk of gum disease and tooth infections.

As well as cleaning your teeth, they’ll also check your gum health and if you have any cavities. It’s a chance to spot any issues early, so they’ll be easier to treat. You don’t want to end up needing emergency dental repairs, which can be painful for you and your wallet.

5. You Have Bad Breath

Bad breath can be annoying and embarrassing to deal with on a daily basis. You might brush your teeth like your dentist said to, and still have stinky breath. Chewing some gum won’t even touch it either.

If this is the case, there is an underlying issue going on here. Bad breath is a symptom of things like gum disease, infection, and tooth decay. So, if you’re suffering chronic bad breath it’s important you book a dentist appointment.

You can ditch the gum, as your dentist can get to the root of the issue. With the issue diagnosed, they can help find a long-term solution to banish that bad breath for good.

6. You Feel Insecure About Your Teeth

Insecurity over your teeth isn’t anything to brush off. It can have a big impact on your mental health. But it doesn’t have to be debilitating, and dental work doesn’t have to seem scary or daunting. 

If you’re unhappy with crooked teeth, there are options out there for adults. That would leave you feeling like a 15-year-old in braces. Dental repairs of this nature have come a long way with modern medical technology. Or if you’re concerned about stained teeth, you can have them whitened.

If you want your teeth whitened, it’s better to get it done by a professional than do it yourself at home. DIY home whiteners can cause teeth to become sensitive and painful.

7. Wisdom Teeth

If you’re a young adult or teen, your wisdom teeth will still be on their way. It’s important that you go get them checked by a dentist, so they know if they’ll grow in right. Or, they’ll be able to remove them before they become an issue.

If you let them grow in without a checkup, you might not have room in your mouth for them. This can cause the wisdom teeth to impact. If this happens, it can cause pericoronitis (a painful infection).

If your wisdom teeth are already through, check them over in the mirror. See that your gums are starting to grow over them. In some cases, you’ll get a flap of gum. This is a big symptom of pericoronitis.

If you see any of these signs, or your wisdom teeth aren’t in yet, considering visiting the dentist. You want your wisdom teeth to grow in without issue, or have them whipped out before they become a pain.

Don’t Forget to Schedule a Dentist Appointment

So, there you have it! Now you know these 7 signs, don’t forget to schedule a dentist appointment today.

If you notice jaw pain, plague/tartar built up, bleeding or you have chronic bad breath, it’s time to see your dentist. Keeping to bi-annual checkups will help you spot issues early. This you can treat problems early and have more chance of success.

If you found this article useful, check out our other blog posts today!