Symptoms You Should Not Ignore in Your Mouth
Ensuring your teeth are healthy is no easy task. While most everyone knows they might need to see the dentist for toothaches, there are other symptoms you should never ignore in your mouth.
Knowing these symptoms can help you access swift care and restore your health before these issues cause further damage.
Here are the 5 common symptoms you should never ignore when it comes to your oral health:
Pain Anywhere in Your Mouth
A toothache is a common reason why people see a dentist, but in fact, you should schedule a visit whenever you experience pain anywhere in the mouth.
It could be your tongue, gums, or even your jaw. No matter where it’s located, pain is a sign something’s going on. A dentist can help diagnose your pain and provide the appropriate treatment to restore your health.
Oral Bleeding
Unless you can pinpoint a direct cause for bleeding (such as an injury), oral bleeding also warrants an immediate visit to a dentist.
Lots of dental issues can lead to bleeding. One of the most common is gum disease, an infection that makes the gums tender and can lead to bleeding. The symptoms can also be caused by a cracked tooth.
You might not immediately notice profuse bleeding. Some patients may notice their saliva has a pink tint to it or that they have a metallic taste in their mouth. Both are signs of oral bleeding.
Longer-Looking Teeth
If you smile in the mirror and swear your teeth are looking longer, it might not be in your head.
Gum recession causes the gums to pull back from the tooth, making them appear longer. It's usually a side effect of gum disease, but it can also be caused by trauma to the mouth or certain medical conditions.
Gum recession also increases sensitivity to heat and cold as previously covered tooth enamel is now exposed.
Misalignment
Your teeth can shift positions even when you’re older. Gum disease can loosen the teeth and cause misalignments, but so does a growing wisdom tooth, which pushes your teeth closer together to make room for itself.
Changes in your tooth alignment can create confidence issues, but they also make it more difficult to properly clean your teeth, increasing your risk for more oral health issues.
Halitosis
Most people deal with bad breath first thing in the morning, but if yours persists even after brushing your teeth, it could be a sign of something else.
Many dental conditions cause halitosis, including infections, cavities, and gum disease.
Come Meet Dr. L for Compassionate and Expert Dental Care
If you notice any of these signs, Dr. L is here to help you access the appropriate path toward happy and healthy teeth.
Schedule a consultation at Landman Dentistry by the Lake, PLLC, online, or call us at (845) 628-3200 for more information.