When Should You Make an Appointment With Your Dentist?

02

May

Visiting the dentist regularly will prevent serious dental health problems. While routine check-ups help preserve your smile, some signs demand immediate attention. Taking action early on can spare you from expensive, complicated procedures.

You might often include a dental visit in your preventive care plan. However, some issues require immediate attention or restorative services to correct. Below, we will examine each category in detail to guide your care. These are the instances when you should make an appointment with your dentist.

When You Seek Preventative Dental Care Services

Having preventative care will go a long way towards stopping minor issues from escalating to more problematic issues. Seeking the help of a dentist at any stage for dental aid can protect your teeth and gums. The ADA recommends having a professional cleaning and exam from your dentist every six months. Routine appointments allow dentists to spot potential problems that can be treated before they need restorative or curative treatment.

Some of the issues that could prompt you to schedule a dental visit include the following:

Dental Cleaning

Dental cleaning, also known as prophylaxis, is an essential part of preventive dental care that promotes oral health and helps to prevent future dental issues.  Your dentist or dental hygienist cleans your teeth during a cleaning. They essentially remove any plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria, and tartar, which is hardened plaque that is built up on your teeth and gums. If not treated, this buildup can cause gum disease, cavities, and other problems in your mouth.

Before you leave the office, your dentist or dental hygienist will polish your teeth. Teeth polishing cleans the teeth and removes stains and plaque from the teeth. Then, your teeth are polished to remove any leftover debris and smooth the surfaces so that plaque cannot accumulate quickly. A fluoride application is sometimes carried out to protect your teeth against cavities.

Early Detection of Cavities

Early on, cavities do not hurt. They begin as small and soft areas of decay. If not treated early, these cavities develop into bigger ones that need fillings, root canals, or tooth extraction. When you visit your dentist, he/she will use advanced diagnostic technologies like digital X-rays to identify cavities in their earliest stages.

Dental cavities can be treated using fluoride varnishes, professional dental sealants, and improved oral hygiene. Regular checkups help prevent decay before it can become severe, saving your teeth.

Oral Cancer Screenings

You can schedule a dental visit to have an oral cancer screening. Dentists check your mouth, tongue, and throat for signs of unusual lesions or lumps. The screening will help you receive treatment early on, which improves treatment outcomes.

When You Have Dental Issues that Require Curative Care

Curative care in dentistry helps care for patients' existing problems to make them healthy. Unlike preventive care, which aims to maintain dental health and prevent future issues, curative care focuses on resolving concerns that cause pain, discomfort, or dysfunction.

If you experience any of the problems below, you should book an appointment right away to ensure that you address the issue before it becomes serious.

Persistent Sensitivity to Hot or Cold Temperatures

If your teeth hurt from hot coffee, ice water, and other temperature extremes, your enamel could be eroding, or you could be in the early stages of tooth decay. If the enamel on your teeth wears away, your teeth could be more vulnerable to damage. Sensitivity can also come from your receding gums. This, in turn, exposes the roots and increases discomfort.

A dental check-up can help in knowing the cause of sensitivity. Your dentist may suggest fluoride treatments,  desensitizing toothpaste, and dental sealants to safeguard the surface of your tooth and fortify the enamel.

Gingival Bleeding When Brushing

When you brush your teeth and notice bleeding gums, it is usually an indicator of gingivitis. If plaque accumulates along the gumline, it causes inflammation, tenderness, and bleeding in the gums. When gums bleed and are left untreated, gingivitis can progress to another stage of gum disease called periodontitis. This can result in gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss.

When you notice this, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can evaluate the condition of your gums to determine the cause of bleeding gums when brushing. Your dentist can also recommend improved oral hygiene practices to reduce inflammation of the gums. For example, enhanced flossing techniques, antimicrobial mouthwashes, and professional cleaning can help.

Regular dental checkups can also help reverse gingivitis before it escalates to more severe gum disease like periodontitis.

Chronic Bad Breath or Halitosis

If you have regular bad breath, it may not just be the foods you eat or morning breath. It could indicate bacterial growth on the tongue, gum disease, dry mouth, or untreated cavities. The leftover food in your teeth can also give off bad odors.

Dentists perform professional cleanings to remove plaque and bacteria while giving personalized hygiene tips for fresher breath.

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, often leads to bad breath, too. We need saliva to neutralize acids and wash away bacteria. Cavities, gum disease, and bad breath thrive when saliva production decreases. If you have a dry mouth, your dentist can recommend treatments, like artificial saliva, increased water intake, or changing your oral care routine. If you manage dry mouth early on, it can help prevent more serious problems from developing and could keep it in check.

Tooth Wear and Grinding or Bruxism

Wearing, chipping teeth, or jaw pain can happen due to bruxism. Bruxism occurs when we clench or grind our teeth unconsciously. It mostly happens when we are asleep. Over time, this habit weakens the enamel, makes teeth more sensitive, and causes jaw problems.

If you go for a dental checkup, your dentist can catch any early signs of bruxism and offer solutions. Your dentists will most likely recommend a night guard to protect your teeth. Fixing grinding early can avoid fractures, enamel damage, and TMJ problems.

Mild Toothache

Toothache, even when mild, is one of the most common reasons people seek dental care. A mild and persistent toothache might not indicate anything serious, but more severe pain can be a signal that there might be an underlying problem. Toothaches can occur if a cavity has just started to form. Other reasons could include gum irritation or a minor trauma. 

A minor toothache may not pose a serious problem, but neglecting it can lead to complications like a tooth infection or an abscess. Your dentist could recommend fillings or antibiotics, depending on the cause of your toothache. When you seek treatment for a mild toothache, you will likely prevent more invasive treatments later on, like root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

Gingival Swelling

Gingival swelling or swollen gums are often an indication of infection or irritation. You could notice swelling near a particular tooth or the gumline. Gingival swelling occurs frequently due to gingivitis disease or a localized infection like an abscess. Swelling is usually accompanied by pain and bleeding when brushing or flossing in case of gum infection.  Swelling could also occur after dental trauma. If not treated, it can worsen and lead to severe problems like periodontitis that damage the bones around the teeth.

Your dentist could do a thorough clean, recommend antibiotics, or take other actions to reduce swelling and restore gum health.

Acute Severe Pain

Toothache is a serious concern. The tooth hurts due to extensive damage to the tooth, pulp damage, or a dental infection in the bone or gum. A mild toothache is one thing, but acute severe pain can be debilitating. It is a constant pain that makes eating, sleeping, or doing anything strenuous.

Sometimes, a tooth abscess, crack, or cavity that progresses to the pulp (nerve) of the tooth can also cause severe pain. You need to see a dentist right away for pain and damage. To stop the pain, the dentist could perform a root canal and remove the infected tissue or the tooth in extreme cases. Never neglect severe pain because the underlying cause can worsen over time.

Traumatic Tooth Avulsion

Traumatic tooth avulsion is a dental emergency in which the tooth is completely knocked out. It can be due to trauma like a sports injury or a car accident. If you experience this kind of injury, time is critical. If your tooth is knocked out, try to keep it clean, place it in a container of milk or saline, and go to a dentist immediately. Re-implantation is only possible within the first hour after injury. Your dentist will try to put the tooth back in the socket. If not, there can be other options, like a dental implant or a bridge.

Cracked or Chipped Teeth

Various incidents can crack or chip your teeth. For instance, biting hard objects or teeth grinding can create cracks. If your tooth is chipped or cracked, you may not feel any pain immediately, but as the inner layer becomes exposed, there is a risk of infection. If you have a cracked tooth, especially one that goes deep into the tooth, it can hurt and even make you lose the tooth.

A chipped or cracked tooth is reason enough to see your dentist. Depending on how severely damaged the tooth is, your dentist could recommend dental bonding, crowns, or even a root canal treatment. Taking action early helps keep the tooth from breaking down even more and protects it from infection.

Abscessed Tooth

An abscessed tooth is a localized infection at the tooth's root that often results from untreated cavities or gum disease. When the tooth is infected, it can cause a lot of pain, swelling, and fever. Sometimes, you may see a small pimple-like bump on your gums close to the affected tooth. If not treated, an abscess can spread to other parts and create more systemic problems in the body.

The standard treatment for an abscess is draining it, a root canal, or removing the tooth if it is severely damaged. Seeking prompt, professional help is key to ensuring the infection does not spread.

Jaw Pain and Dysfunction

The jawbone is connected to our skull with the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). When TMJ develops an issue, you will feel pain in the jaw along with a clicking or locking. You could feel pain while chewing your food, opening your mouth, or during jaw movement. Apart from TMJ disorders, your discomfort could result from teeth grinding or jaw misalignment.

If not treated, jaw pain can lead to serious issues like wear on the teeth, headaches, or difficulty eating and speaking. Your dentist can assess what is causing your jaw pain and recommend treatments, including using a mouthguard, physical therapy, or adjusting your bite.

Severe Gum Disease or Periodontitis

Gum disease can harm the gums and bones that support your teeth. Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated, causing infection, gum recession, tooth loss, and damage to your jawbone.  If you see gum recession, loose teeth, or chronic bad breath, it may be because of periodontitis. A deep cleaning, which involves scaling and root planing, is often the first step in treatment for periodontitis.  Then, in more serious cases, surgery to fix gums and bone.  Timely treatment of periodontitis is critical to saving the teeth and gums and avoiding tooth loss or other serious issues.

When Seeking Restorative Dental Care Services

Repairing and enhancing teeth that have become damaged due to structural issues, misalignment, discoloration, or even gum troubles is one of the main reasons to visit a dentist. In restorative dental care, you will find orthodontic therapies and teeth whitening procedures designed to restore proper functioning and the aesthetics of your smile. Restorative care, unlike preventive or curative treatments, focuses on the reconstruction and enhancement of your oral health.

The following are some important restorative problems and procedures that could require scheduling a dental visit:

Misaligned Teeth

Misaligned teeth are a common dental issue. Teeth could become crooked or crowded due to genetics, premature loss of baby teeth, or childhood habits like thumb sucking. Flossing and brushing can be very difficult if your teeth are not aligned properly. If your teeth are crooked or crowded, you cannot reach the plaque on them with your toothbrush, which will build up and cause decay or gum disease.

Dentists could recommend braces, clear aligners, or other restorative treatments that gradually reposition the teeth into proper alignment. This adjustment makes your smile look more even and helps your mouth work better, making it easier to keep your mouth clean. When your teeth are aligned, they form the base for extra cosmetic improvements like whitening or bonding. These serve to enhance the appearance and health of your smile.

Bite Irregularities (Malocclusion) and Excessive Spacing or Gaps

Malocclusion, or bite irregularities, occur when the teeth and jaws are misaligned. They can also produce an overbite, underbite or crossbite. When your teeth do not fit together well, they wear unevenly and can be uncomfortable. You may have difficulty chewing if your tooth and jaw are misaligned.

Malocclusion occurs typically due to genetics, uneven tooth growth or jaw misalignment requiring corrective treatment.  To fix problems with a person’s bite, dentists usually use orthodontic treatment like braces or retainers, or surgery might be needed if it worsens. Fixing your bite makes chewing more manageable and more comfortable and will also prevent issues down the road. Having a properly aligned bite helps improve your smile’s appearance, balance and longevity.

Excessive spacing between teeth, or gaps, can impact both function and appearance. Gaps can be due to missing teeth, disproportionate jaw size, or developmental disturbances. Based on how significant the gaps are and the reason for the development of these gaps, braces or clear aligners can get the teeth to sit in a better position. For tiny spaces, veneers or bonding might work before considering orthodontic treatment. These treatments can help create a more full and cohesive arch to improve the appearance of your smile.

Teeth Whitening Procedures

Teeth whitening is one of the most common treatments patients seek, as it helps with discolored teeth and restores a bright smile. Regular intake of foods and beverages like coffee, tea, or tobacco can stain your teeth over time. With age, it may look dull, which lowers your confidence level.

If you have discolored teeth, the best option would be professional teeth whitening done by your dentist. While other methods, like over-the-counter products, may seem convenient, they are not as effective as the bleaching agents used in professional procedures. Teeth whitening uses strong bleaching agents or lasers to break down stains. If your teeth have undergone orthodontic procedures like braces or aligners, you can use whitening to make them shinier. If your teeth have become discolored during orthodontic work, whitening can remove those stains altogether.

Receding Gums

Many people experience gum recession. This occurs when the tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls back. In turn, this causes more of the tooth to be exposed, as well as the root of the tooth. Gum disease, brushing incorrectly, and getting older can all be reasons for this common dental issue. Receding gums can make your teeth and smile unattractive, sensitive, and decayed.

If you have experienced gum recession, know that restorative treatments like gum grafting are available. This involves taking tissue from another part of your mouth or a donor source and grafting it to the affected area. This treatment improves gum health and aids in covering the exposed part of the teeth. Scaling and root planing may be done to clean the area and remove plaque buildup that contributes to gum recession. You can manage and reduce further recession with proper brushing and regular checkups.

Find a Whittier Dentist Near Me

It is best to keep your biannual visits up to date and honour them. However, if you begin to feel discomfort or notice changes in your teeth or gums between appointments, do not hesitate to contact your dentist. They are there to help out and can quickly address a problem before it worsens.

We at The Whittier Dentist are ready to help if you are looking for exceptional dental care. Our expert team is ready to solve your concerns and ensure your dental health is checked. Contact us at 562-632-1223 to schedule an appointment.