No pain, no problem? Five subtle signs you need to see the dentist
When it comes to your teeth, people tend to follow a simple rule: no pain, no problem. However, this rule will only end with a long sit in the dentist’s chair! Other than dental pain, your body gives lots of signs to let you know that it’s time to book a dental appointment and stop the problem before it gets worse.
- Unhappy gums
Your gums surround your teeth, keeping them firmly in place and providing a seal against food particles and bacteria. They are also a great indicator of your dental health. If your gums are bleeding when you brush your teeth, or show any signs of redness or other discolouration, you need to take note. This could be signs of gingivitis or a warning that you need to change your dental health routine. Basically, if you’re gums look unhappy, your teeth won’t be far behind, so book a dentist’s appointment!
- Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth
Bad breath is never a good thing and whilst a feast of smelly food and the start of a new day are normal causes, regular bad breath could be a sign that your mouth is suffering. Bad breath and bad tastes in the mouth could be a sign of mouth infection, tooth decay or a number of other oral complications. So for your sake and for people within breath-distance, you should book a trip to the dentist if you’re suffering with bad breath!
- Loose teeth and teeth loss
Getting a loose tooth when you’re younger is completely natural, but past the age of 14, it isn’t a good sign! Tooth loss in adults is usually a sign of advanced gum disease, which can cause all sorts of problems. A toothless smile is not a good look for anyone, so you should definitely organise a trip to the dentist at the first sign of tooth instability. Remember, you don’t have to experience any pain for this to happen; it’s all about regularly checking your teeth in the mirror.
- Swelling
Everyone knows that swelling is a sign that something’s not quite right. However, swelling in the mouth or around the jawline tends to get ignored, which isn’t good. Regardless of whether the swelling is around the mouth (e.g. on your jaw or upper neck) or in the mouth (e.g. tongue sores, cheek sores or inflamed gums) swelling should prompt you to book a dental appointment! Even if your teeth look fine, swelling is a sign that your dental health isn’t quite right.
- Ongoing medical treatment
If you’re undergoing any consistent medical treatment, you need to make sure you get regular dental check-ups. Medical issues will affect your teeth, because the body is a completely connected system of nerves. This also means that any medications that are being used to treat a health issue in another area of the body can also affect your dental health.
Keeping on top of your oral health requires attention and awareness. If you’re experiencing any of the issues above, it’s a sure sign to make a visit to one of our dental practices here in Fulham. Remember you don’t need to be in pain for something to be wrong, and the quicker you notice a dental issue, the easier (and cheaper) it will be to correct!
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