Life in Salt Lake City can be full of things to do. There are weekend hikes in the Wasatch Range, daily commutes and dinner parties that may leave you with a little too much wine to forget about on your couch. These are all signs of a full life, and it’s hard to find time to fret about small things like a toothache that seem to come and go. When it comes to your dental health, however, putting off treatment can usually make the problem much bigger and more expensive.
Prevention is key in modern dentistry, and that means knowing how to read your body’s signals to help keep your smile happy and healthy. This article will help you through 5 telltale signs that it’s time to schedule an appointment with a Salt Lake City dentist so you can keep your smile looking its best.
1. You Have Persistent Tooth Pain
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Tooth pain is never pleasant, and your body is trying to tell you that something is wrong when you have a persistent ache. If your tooth hurts for more than a day or two, then you should probably go see a Salt Lake City dentist. Chronic or throbbing pain does not usually go away by itself.
Tooth pain can be caused by a number of factors, including:
Tooth Decay (Cavities): Tooth decay is the process of bacteria eating away at your tooth enamel, which is the hard, protective surface of your teeth. As they erode away, cavities can expose the sensitive inner layers of your tooth, causing you pain.
>An Abscessed Tooth: An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus in your teeth or gums caused by a bacterial infection. An abscess is a serious condition that needs immediate attention.
Damaged Fillings: Over time, fillings can become loose or worn. If that happens, bacteria can seep underneath and cause a new cavity.
>Grinding Your Teeth (Bruxism): Bruxism is a condition in which your teeth wear down over time due to grinding and clenching, typically during sleep. You may experience jaw pain or sensitivity as well as tooth pain if you are grinding your teeth.
Putting off dental treatment when you experience tooth pain can cause small problems to balloon into big ones, requiring more complex and expensive treatment. An untreated cavity may turn into a root canal, or you may develop an infection that will spread. Your Salt Lake City dentist can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment so you can get back to your pain-free life.
2. Your Gums Are Bleeding
Pink in the sink after you brush or floss is not always a cause for alarm. This bleeding can happen if you are too aggressive with your toothbrush. If bleeding persists even with the gentlest of care, then you should pay attention. Your gums should not bleed.
Bleeding gums are an early warning sign of a gum disease, or periodontal disease. The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis, and is an inflammation of the gum line. Gingivitis occurs when plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—builds up along the gumline and becomes tartar if it is not brushed away. The gums can become swollen, red, and eventually start to bleed.
If gingivitis is not treated, then the gum disease can progress to periodontitis, which is a more serious form of gum disease. Periodontitis occurs when the gums pull back from the teeth and form pockets that can become infected. This can lead to bone loss and eventual tooth loss. Gingivitis can be reversed by professional cleaning and better home care, so your Salt Lake City dentist can keep the disease from progressing into something more serious.
3. You Suffer From Chronic Bad Breath
Most of us have been there at some point. We go out to eat, scarf down a plate of spaghetti with garlic bread and salad, and then head home to kiss our significant other. If your breath is not minty fresh, then your partner may get a whiff of garlic and onion and not be too happy. But chronic bad breath can be a warning sign that your oral health is not where it should be.
Chronic bad breath, also called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor that is constant. It also cannot be eliminated with mints, mouthwash, or over-the-counter treatments. In many cases, bad breath is caused by the same bacteria that cause plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. This bacteria produces sulfur compounds, which leads to the bad breath odor.
Bad breath can also be caused by:
-Dry mouth (xerostomia). A condition that occurs when you do not produce enough saliva to wash away food particles.
–Infections in the nose, mouth, or throat.
-Food caught in places that are hard to brush, such as between your teeth or in tonsil crypts.
Your Salt Lake City dentist can recommend treatment for halitosis. You can get a professional cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth that may be harboring bacteria, and your dentist may recommend specific products that can help you.
4. Your Teeth Are Sensitive to Hot or Cold
If you are wincing every time you take a sip of hot coffee? Or eat a bowl of ice cream? Your teeth may be telling you it’s time to see the dentist. Tooth sensitivity is a common complaint, but that does not mean it should be ignored. Tooth sensitivity usually occurs when enamel is worn down or compromised, which exposes the underlying layer of dentin. Dentin is sensitive and connected to microscopic tubules, which lead to the nerve of the tooth.
Several things can contribute to tooth sensitivity, including:
Receding Gums: Gum recession exposes the root of the tooth, which is not covered by enamel.
>Cracked or Chipped Teeth: Fractures and chips in your teeth provide a pathway to the nerve.
>Worn-Down Enamel: Brushing too aggressively, grinding your teeth, or having a highly acidic diet can wear away your enamel over time.
Tooth Decay: Cavities can also cause teeth to become sensitive.
Your dentist can diagnose the reason behind your tooth sensitivity and help you find a way to stop it. Treatment may be as simple as using a desensitizing toothpaste, or your dentist may apply fluoride varnish to the sensitive areas. A filling may be necessary if decay has set in, or your dentist may recommend a mouth guard to prevent further damage if you are grinding your teeth.
5. You Can’t Remember Your Last Check-Up
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Regular dental appointments are the hallmark of a healthy, happy smile. The American Dental Association recommends regular preventive care check-ups at regular intervals to prevent dental problems before they even have a chance to start. Most people require a dental check-up and professional cleaning every six months.
Dental prevention care is an important part of your overall health. These visits allow your dental team to:
Clean your teeth professionally: Your hygienist can remove built-up plaque and tartar that at-home brushing and flossing cannot reach.
>Examine your teeth and gums: Your dental team will check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems.
>Perform an oral cancer screening: Looking for any abnormalities in the soft tissues of your mouth.
>Take X-rays: This will allow the dentist to see below the surface of your teeth for impacted teeth, jawbone damage, or hidden decay between teeth.
Regular dental visits will allow your Salt Lake City dentist to catch any potential problems. This allows the dentist to address them when they are small and inexpensive to fix. Prevention care also means your dentist can give your teeth a thorough cleaning. Regular cleanings along with good oral homecare is recommended to prevent more serious problems from occurring.
Don’t Wait for a Dental Emergency
Your oral health is important to your overall health and well-being. If you care about your overall health, then taking care of your teeth and gums is important, too. Any of these 5 signs should be a trigger for you to make an appointment with your Salt Lake City dentist for a professional evaluation. Don’t wait for a dental emergency, call and make an appointment sooner than later to avoid bigger dental problems!
Ready to give your dental health the attention it deserves? Call and schedule an appointment with a trusted Salt Lake City dentist at Alpenglow Dental today! Our Salt Lake City dentist can provide a professional evaluation. An thorough dental evaluation can help you have peace of mind and set you on the path to a healthier, more confident smile. Contact us today by calling (801) 883-9177 or contact us online here. We look forward to hearing from you!
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