6 Signs It’s Time to Visit the Dentist

No one really likes going to the dentist. You have to take time out of your day, either skipping working or missing out on valuable weekend time. Then you sit in a waiting area, only to go back to a dentist chair where strangers grope around in your mouth. It’s an unpleasant experience, which is why many of us avoid it.

However, visiting your dentist regularly is important not just for oral health, but for your health overall. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, there’s a chance that there are some signs telling you that it’s time to go. If you notice any of the signs below, schedule your next dentist checkup as soon as you can.

You Can’t Remember Your Last Visit

One of the clearest signs that it’s time to visit the dentist is when you can’t remember the last time you went. Even if you’re not experience any symptoms or problems, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect inside your mouth. Going to the dentist regularly is important for oral health, so if you haven’t been there in over 6 months, now is the time to set your next appointment.

Tooth Pain

Another clear sign that you need to see a dentist is when you have tooth pain. There are several things that can be causing tooth pain – from gum disease to cavities – but you can’t know which until you visit the dentist. Even if the tooth pain is minor, it’s a good idea to have it checked out to ensure that the problem doesn’t get any worse. Your dentist will be able to identify the cause of the tooth pain, and come up with a plan to fix it.

Bad Breath

We all experience bad breath from time to time. Maybe you just finished drinking your coffee, or you wake up with it in the morning. However, sometimes bad breath is a sign that you need to visit a dentist. Bad breath can be a sign of an underlying oral health issue, something beyond having eggs for lunch. Bad breath is unpleasant for both you and those around you, so head on over to a dentist to make sure it isn’t the sign of a larger problem, and to get it taken care of.

Jaw Pain

If you’re experiencing jaw pain, your dentist will be able to identify why and help you to fix it. Sometimes we experience jaw pain because we grind our teeth, or we have bad posture, or there’s something wrong with our teeth. According to Babylon Dental Care, “When a tooth has partially erupted, a portion still remains in the jawbone. Teeth may be trapped below the gumline or growing in sideways.” The result is jaw pain that can get worse over time.

Sore Gums

Besides your teeth and jaw, your gums can also be a source of discomfort. If you’re experience sore gums, or any other issue with your gums – like pain or bleeding – this is something you’ll want to have your dentist checked out. You could have an infection in your gums, and if you don’t get it taken care of, the infection will spread. The result could be the loss of teeth, and even further dental complications. Many times, gum soreness is a simple treatment, but you won’t know unless you talk to your dentist.

You Don’t Like Your Smile

Finally, if you should visit your dentist if you simply don’t like your smile. There are a lot of things dentists can do these days to help correct a smile and give you more confidence with it. With cosmetic dentistry, you can have straighter and whiter teeth, and go back to flashing your smile whenever you want. And while cosmetic dentistry isn’t an urgent medical situation, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attend to it as soon as you can. You deserve to have a smile you’re proud of, and your dentist can help you to achieve this.

Don’t Let Oral Problems Get Worse

Many oral health problems, if they are caught early, are easily treatable. However, since many of us are prone to ignoring these problems to avoid going to the dentist, the problems only get worse over time. Whenever you experience one of the signs listed above, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as you’re able. This way the problems won’t get any worse, and you can go back to living your healthy life, without having to worry about your oral health.

Share this post