When it comes to taking care of your teeth, there are few things more important than regular dental checkups with dentist near me . No matter how diligent you are about brushing and flossing, you can still overlook something that might be damaging to your teeth—not to mention, the rest of your mouth and body! This article will help you identify when you should make an appointment with your dentist and what issues they’ll be able to spot in order to give you the best possible oral health care.
If your teeth are sensitive
The sensitivity might be caused by exposed dentin, which is a tissue that lies just beneath your enamel. When you have sensitive teeth, bacteria has eaten away at it, exposing dental pulp. In some cases, dentin can be covered with veneers or crowns. If these options don’t help ease your pain enough to eat normally, call and make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Without treatment from your dentist for sensitive teeth and gums, it may become so painful that you won’t be able to eat much at all!
If you have been clenching your teeth
You may have been clenching your teeth without even realizing it. Symptoms of clenching include headaches, jaw pain, soreness in your back or neck, and grinding your teeth while you sleep. Clenching is actually often due to stress or poor habits like sleeping with your mouth open; it’s not something that’s usually done intentionally by people who don’t realize they do it. You should visit a dentist if you suspect you are biting down hard or grinding your teeth while you sleep—even if you aren’t aware of doing so. If clenching is becoming an issue for you, consider seeing a dentist for preventative measures such as wearing night guards and mouth guards.
If you have headaches
Headaches don’t always mean something’s wrong, but if you suffer from chronic or debilitating headaches, it’s important to seek treatment right away. If you notice new symptoms or your headache is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, eye pain, fever and stiffness in your neck, arms and shoulders, head to a dentist near me immediately—you may have an infection. Keep in mind that for many people with these atypical symptoms—as they are sometimes called—their headaches turn out to be benign migraines.
If you notice a difference in the way your smile looks
Your dentist is your advocate when it comes to keeping your teeth health. If you notice any changes in your smile (even if it’s simply one tooth that’s discolored or shaped oddly), call and make an appointment—don’t wait for something worse to happen. We’ve got more on what to look for here. To find a dentist near you, try searching on ZocDoc or Yelp, both of which will tell you how close you are to other dentists who take that insurance.
If you want to improve your smile
Although it might seem like something you can put off, regular checkups with your dentist are essential for preventing tooth decay, gingivitis and other oral diseases. A dentist near me will help you improve your smile in numerous ways, from inspecting your gums to repairing damaged teeth and fixing worn-down fillings. During these appointments, he or she will also be able to detect any underlying health issues that may be causing toothaches or other problems. And, of course, no matter what kind of smile you want—white or colored; straight or crooked—it’s best to go see a dentist as soon as possible. (If you don’t have a local dentist near me , we can provide referrals.)
If there is something about your mouth bothering you
You should see your dentist immediately. For example, a weird feeling in your mouth can be tooth decay. And, since it usually starts at a place where you can’t see it (the root of one of your teeth), that means you should definitely have it checked out right away. Tooth pain: When you have tooth pain and possible sensitivity to hot or cold food and drink, visit a dentist near me as soon as possible. The pain could be caused by an infection or something else like plaque build-up or an impacted wisdom tooth — all situations that require treatment from a professional in order to heal correctly.
If your gums bleed when flossing
There’s an easy solution to stop bleeding gums—visit your dentist! Bleeding gums are one of many symptoms that can indicate serious problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. If you notice bleeding while flossing or brushing your teeth, call your dentist right away. Your appointment can be scheduled for that day if you’re worried about being treated quickly enough and it’s best to deal with these issues as soon as possible. Your dentist will do a full exam, which includes everything from measuring your gum health to examining any dark patches on your tongue or mouth lesions. Be sure to mention any recent symptoms like bad breath or chronic pain; these are also red flags that may hint at something going on with your oral health.
