Assuming you don’t have tooth decay, gum disease, or other dental condition that needs to be addressed, you should generally attend a dental checkup and cleaning appointment at least twice a year. By doing so, you can significantly increase your chances of avoiding some of the concerns mentioned above. However, if an issue does develop, then you may not want to wait until your next checkup and cleaning appointment before having it addressed. We suggest schedule a visit to our El Paso, TX, dental office if you notice any of these warning signs.
1. Your toothache doesn’t go away
A toothache is almost never benign, and ignoring it can give the condition time to grow worse. Sometimes, though, tooth sensitivity may seem minor, and patients often don’t consider it an emergency situation. There are many potential causes for a toothache, such as weak, damaged, or decaying tooth structure. The only way to effectively relieve yours is diagnose the problem and develop a customized treatment to address it. If your tooth is sensitive and a home remedy doesn’t cure it for good, then treating it professionally could be necessary to helping you avoid more serious tooth problems.
2. Your bad breath doesn’t, either
Unlike an aching tooth, the presence of bad breath doesn’t always mean that there’s a problem you should immediately address. In fact, your breath may be off nearly every morning due to the excess of bacteria that can accumulate in your mouth overnight. However, when your bad breath doesn’t go away after brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth, then it could indicate an excess of tartar – calcified plaque that makes oral bacteria impervious to toothpaste and water. A dental cleaning can remove the tartar, or a prompt checkup can reveal a more serious underlying cause, such as tooth decay or gum disease.
3. You notice bleeding in your gums
Bleeding gums often sound scarier than they can seem in real life. The slight pink tint to your toothpaste and saliva when you brush your teeth may not seem alarming, but it often indicates the presence of gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease). When left untreated, gum disease can cause extensive damage to your gums and jawbone structure, which dramatically increases your risks of tooth loss.
Make an appointment as soon as possible
While you should usually wait about six months between checkup and cleaning appointments, there are times when you shouldn’t wait to schedule a visit with your dentist. If you exhibit these or other potential warning signs, then schedule an appointment as soon as possible by calling the Sunny Smiles dental office nearest you in El Paso, TX, today! We also have offices in Chaparral, Canutillo, and Vinton so we can easily serve patients throughout all surrounding communities.