Dental Issues You Shouldn’t Ignore

red-toothbrush

You know that getting regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing are important, but there are other things that we can let fly under the radar. But those small dental issues that you hardly notice or don’t think are important can be indications of bigger problems that need attention. Here are the dental issues you should never ignore.

Crooked teeth

Crooked teeth aren’t just an aesthetic concern, and it’s not vain to want to fix them. Crooked or misaligned teeth can cause food to get trapped between them, which can lead to tooth decay. It can also create spaces where plaque can build up, causing gum inflammation and potentially gingivitis.

Bad breath

Yes, you can get bad breath from eating stinky foods or if it’s been a while since you brushed your teeth, but consistent bad breath when you haven’t been eating too much garlic or forgetting to brush and floss can be a sign of a big problem. Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth, liver and kidney issues, diabetes, and other health problems.

Sensitivity to hot and cold

A little sensitivity to very hot or cold foods is perhaps not something to worry about, but consistent sensitivity can be a symptom of some health problems as well as tooth decay and cavities.

Jaw popping or clicking

Popping or clicking in the jaw can be a symptom of TMD (Temporomandibular Disorders), which is often characterized by clenching and grinding the teeth and is a progressive disorder that comes with a whole host of symptoms: earaches, arthritis of the jaw, lockjaw, and pain in the structures of the face and jaw.

Bleeding gums

If you brush and floss regularly, your gums shouldn’t bleed when brushing and flossing. (If you’re not flossing regularly and your gums bleed when you do, you need to floss more!) If you do have gum bleeding, this is a canary in the coal mine for gingivitis, which is the first (and reversible) stage of periodontitis—gum disease.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to schedule an appointment with a trusted dentist. You can always call the office at Mogren Dental, or even schedule your own appointment online!

 

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