3 Dental Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
In life, we are often given warning signs when something is about to go wrong or cause a problem to disrupt our day. In many cases, these warnings give us ample time to make the changes necessary before something becomes an emergency. For example, a light appears on the car dashboard to warn that gas is getting low or to warn that there is a potential problem with the vehicle. A smoke alarm sounds to give a warning when the battery is about to die or if smoke is detected in the house. Our mouth gives us warnings as well. The longer we ignore the warnings, the greater the chance it will turn into a dental emergency. Read on to learn warning signs in your mouth that you should never ignore.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
When you visit our office regularly for routine hygiene examinations, we thoroughly inspect your mouth for signs of decay or other diseases such as gum disease and oral cancer. Unfortunately, not every patient visits us regularly, leaving them vulnerable to experiencing oral health complications. Your mouth typically gives some form of warning that there is a problem that should be checked by our office. These can include:
Discomfort or Changes to Your Teeth
When decay has developed in your teeth and has yet to be detected or treatment has been postponed, it is not uncommon for a patient to experience some discomfort that will progressively worsen based on the severity of the decay. Decay can also change the surface of the teeth.
Bleeding Gums
Your gums should not bleed when you brush or floss. If you are gentle when brushing and flossing and you are experiencing frequent bleeding, it can be an indication of gum disease.
Persistent Dry Mouth
Saliva is meant to be in the mouth as a way to flush the bacteria that lingers after eating. When the mouth is dry on a regular basis, it can be a warning that there is a problem with your oral health and possibly your overall health as well.
If you experience any of the warnings mentioned above, be sure to contact our office located in Silverdale, WA to schedule an appointment. The sooner we can see you, the better chance you have of avoiding a serious dental emergency.
