Although everyone is aware of the importance of regular dental checkups, most people let their responsibilities prevent them from paying a visit to the dentist. You have probably heard your dentist say how you should make a dental visit at least every six months.

Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t listen and only make an appointment when they are in great pain or have a big dental problem. If you want to keep your oral health great and avoid huge dental issues then you should make an appointment with hawaiifamilydental.com. Here are some of the signs you shouldn’t ignore.

Plaque Buildup

No matter how much time and effort you put into flossing and brushing every day, there will still be millions of bacteria in your mouth at any given time. Some of the bacteria in your mouth help keep your teeth healthy, while others can cause various oral diseases.

The sticky yellow or colorless film that is constantly forming on your teeth called plaque is made up of harmful bacteria. Plaque forms on your teeth up to twelve hours after brushing, which is why you should brush at least twice per day. The bacteria living in plaque produce an acidic waste byproduct that attacks your tooth enamel and causes cavities.

In case you don’t remove plaque from your teeth regularly, it will eventually mineralize into a yellow or brown deposit called tartar. This is something you won’t be able to clean yourself, which is why you should schedule an appointment immediately if you see tartar along the gum line.

It’s worth noting that tartar can affect the color of your teeth, which may cause self-esteem issues. In order to make your teeth look healthy, you should consider whitening them. If you would like to know more about this service, make sure to check out this Dentist’s Ultimate Guide to Chairside Whitening.

Bleeding Gums

Healthy gums are able to withstand daily flossing and brushing. However, if you start seeing blood in the sink when you brush or floss, you should go to the dentist as soon as possible. Bleeding should never be ignored because it can be a sign of gum disease.

There are basically two different types of gum disease. The first type is known as gingivitis and is considered to be a mild condition. Nevertheless, it will get worse if you don’t treat it. Namely, it will spread below your gum line and into your bone. When the disease spreads and becomes more serious, it is called periodontitis.

It’s important to note that gum disease can have a negative impact on your overall health, since the bacteria that causes it has been linked to various chronic diseases. In the event that periodontitis doesn’t get treated, your gum tissue will ultimately pull back away from your teeth.

Bad Breath

It’s normal if you have bad breath after certain meals or when you wake up in the morning. Whenever you have bad breath, you can simply brush your teeth and the problem will go away. However, in case a thorough brushing doesn’t solve this issue, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you can’t seem to get rid of your bad breath, it means you likely have cavities or gum disease.

Toothache

No matter what degree of pain you are experiencing in one or more teeth, you shouldn’t ignore it. In some cases, you will feel tooth pain only when you are chewing or biting. It may also occur randomly throughout the day.

One of the most common reasons why you experience toothache is due to severe tooth decay. This essentially means that the decay has reached the innermost nerve of your tooth. Some of the other common reasons for a toothache include broken or chipped teeth, as well as tooth fracture.

Wisdom Teeth Symptoms

When your third set of molars, otherwise referred to as wisdom teeth, start growing you should have them checked out. There may not be enough space for them at the back of your mouth. If this is the case, your wisdom teeth can cause a shift in the alignment of the rest of your teeth.

Although you may experience swelling and soreness near your molars, there’s a good chance you won’t feel any symptoms when your wisdom teeth start growing. Despite whether you’re experiencing any problems, you should have your wisdom teeth checked out to make sure they don’t cause any problems in the future.

Increased Temperature Sensitivity

If you can’t enjoy a cup of coffee or a chilled dessert because you have extreme sensitivity to hot or cold beverages and food, it means you likely have a cavity. Keep in mind that when a cavity becomes large and gets close to the nerve in your tooth, it will be easier for it to sense the change in temperature.

Of course, there are other reasons why you might be experiencing this sensitivity. It can be a sign of excessive wear to your gums or teeth. It may also be a symptom of an infection.

Loose Teeth

In case you have one or more loose teeth, you should visit your dentist immediately. The most common cause of loose teeth is gum disease, which needs to be treated sooner rather than later. It’s worth noting that a loose tooth can also be a sign of oral cancer. When it comes to a condition like cancer, it’s best to start fighting it as early as possible.

Dark Spots on Teeth

There are two ways to spot a cavity. It will either appear on the surface of your teeth as holes or as dark spots. These spots can be of black or brown color. Although there is a chance they are natural stains, they could be signs of a cavity. This is why you should schedule an appointment with your dentist whenever you see dark spots on your teeth.

Bottom Line

There are some dental signs you should never ignore like bleeding gums, loose teeth, plaque buildup, and toothaches. If you don’t visit your dentist despite experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it may transform into a much bigger problem.