Here are our top ten signs that your oral health is at risk and it’s time to schedule an appointment.
- Hot or cold drinks cause a jolt of pain! Sensitivity can be the first sign that something is not quite right and should always be checked out. And if it is standard sensitivity, we can recommend products to help minimise it so you don’t have to avoid those ice-cold drinks.
- Your gums are bleeding. A bit of blood is OK right? Actually…no. Your mouth bleeds when something is wrong.
- You haven’t seen your dentist for a while and can feel ‘holes’. Those holes used to be your tooth structure and should be checked out immediately.
- You notice a bad small in your mouth (and it’s not just morning breath)! A bad smell can be one of two things and neither of them is nice:
a. Bad breath, also known as halitosis – you may not know you have it because you have become accustomed to the smell, so ask a loved one if you stink.
b. Pus (yes we know it’s gross) – but pus forms when a tooth nerve is infected. - You ran out of floss two years ago and haven’t bought any more. Flossing is the only way to remove the food and bacteria between your teeth. You can either floss daily or see the Dental Hygienist each week to remove the deposits, so flossing is the obvious choice.
- You’re only chewing on one side of your mouth because the other hurts too much. It could be a cavity, gum disease, broken tooth, infected nerve… the list goes on but it’s definitely something you need to get checked out.
- Yellow stains? It could just be from your coffee habit, or it might be something more sinister, as yellow stains between teeth can be a sign of tooth decay. Your teeth could be decaying right before your eyes.
- You broke a tooth on that steak last week. A broken tooth doesn’t always hurt, or the pain may come and go. But you should always get the damage assessed.
- You are waking up in the mornings with a sore jaw. This is a sign that you’ve been grinding or clenching your teeth during the night. This wears away the tooth structure and can expose the delicate nerves inside your teeth, leading to a whole raft of problems.
- You have a toothache and place an aspirin or paracetamol on the tooth to dull the pain. This is an old remedy for toothache, and while it might make you feel better for an hour or so, you’ll have a nasty aspirin burn the next day and guess what? The tooth will still need treating…
Contact us if you have any concerns or questions about your oral health. Don’t ignore these warning signs that your oral health is at risk – the problem will only get worse and can lead to an emergency dental situation.
