Dental visits are critical for good oral health and overall well-being. You are advised to visit your dentist at least every six months for regular dental checkups and examinations. During these visits, your dentist examines the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbone, and the status of your dental restorations. It is a preventive and curative procedure, because you are advised on how to care for your teeth and gums and receive immediate treatment for any developing issue.

However, many people are unable to do this and only visit their dentist when they notice a persistent problem. This is particularly concerning because most dental and oral issues tend to escalate over time, becoming more expensive and challenging to manage as they progress. Discuss with your dentist the optimal time to schedule an appointment to maintain healthy teeth, gums, and jawbone, as well as for your overall health.

You can schedule an appointment immediately after noticing some of these signs:

A Toothache

A toothache is the main sign that something is wrong with your tooth. Teeth are generally strong and painless. They remain stable after chewing, biting, and enjoying all your favorite foods. However, your tooth can hurt because of various reasons, including the following:

  • If you have a cavity or dental decay, which occurs when harmful bacteria attack the strongest part of your tooth, the enamel. This can happen if you fail to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits.
  • Your teeth crack or break after a slip and fall accident, or a severe blow to your face or mouth. You can also damage your teeth if you use them as tools.
  • You have gum disease, which starts mildly as gingivitis and escalates into a serious dental and oral issue. Gum disease occurs when you fail to practice good oral hygiene habits, and the harmful bacteria attack your gums and teeth.
  • There is a dental abscess or infection at the root of the tooth, which causes a pus-filled pocket to form on the gum, directly adjacent to the tooth. This requires urgent treatment to protect the tooth and prevent the infection from spreading.
  • Your wisdom teeth are erupting, and there is insufficient space on the gums for them. This results in an impacted tooth, which is very painful and can become infected
  • Your dental fillings or other dental restorations are loose or damaged. You need immediate treatment to protect the treated tooth and restore its functionality.

A toothache, whether mild or severe, is a good enough reason to book an appointment with your dentist. The dentist will recommend treatment according to the cause of the pain.

Painful Gums

Painful gums are also a good cause for worry. Gums play a vital role in supporting your teeth. Healthy gums provide the support your teeth need to remain strong and stable. If your gums become painful, start bleeding, or appear reddish, you should book an appointment with your dentist. Some of the reasons your gums could become sore or inflamed include the following:

  • If you have gingivitis, or inflammation on your gums caused by harmful bacteria due to poor oral hygiene habits. If left untreated, it can develop into gum disease, which affects both your gums and teeth. It can cause an infection that affects your general health.
  • If you brush aggressively or use the wrong toothbrush to clean your teeth. Dentists recommend a soft-bristle brush to protect soft tissues in the mouth, including the gums.
  • If your hormones are imbalanced, especially during menstruation, pregnancy, puberty, or menopause, your gums become very sensitive. They become more susceptible to abrasion, bleeding, and pain.
  • Gum recession, which happens when the soft tissues of your gums pull back, exposing more of your teeth than usual. It mostly occurs when gums become inflamed or infected, especially if you have gum disease.
  • An infection in the gums, whether viral or bacterial, can be excruciating
  • Your gums can become inflamed and painful if you have an underlying medical condition like an autoimmune disease or diabetes

Recurrent Bad Breath

If you practice good oral hygiene habits, you may not have bad breath. Brushing and flossing your teeth daily freshens your breath. Thus, when you experience bad breath, you should immediately know that there is a problem. Some of the causes of bad breath, which require immediate treatment, include the following:

  • Bacterial attack, especially if you fail to practice good oral hygiene habits. Harmful bacteria combine with stuck foods in your mouth to cause a severe reaction that affects your breath and produces a strong acid that attacks your gums and teeth.
  • An untreated cavity or gum disease can affect your breath. Visiting your dentist immediately you notice changes in your breath allows them time to treat the underlying issue before it escalates.
  • Your mouth may be dry due to an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, dehydration, or the use of certain over-the-counter or prescription medications. Saliva cleanses your mouth, removing remaining food particles and protecting your teeth and gums from bacterial attack. If its production is affected, your mouth can feel dry.
  • Your breath can be affected if your tongue is coated with dead cells, bacteria, or food debris. This mainly happens on the back of the tongue. Proper brushing is recommended to remove the buildup. Professional teeth cleaning is also recommended at least twice yearly.

Untreated bad breath will worsen over time. Its underlying cause may also escalate, becoming challenging and expensive to treat.

Mouth Sores

A mouth sore is any pain or inflammation in the mouth. It can happen due to an injury, irritation, or illness. Mouth sores can involve excruciating ulcers or canker sores, swelling, or blisters. They may cause you problems when eating or speaking. While some mouth sores can heal on their own after a few days, some worsen over time. A severe sore in the mouth could indicate a serious underlying issue, which requires proper diagnosis and treatment. That is why you should schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately if you notice mouth sores.

Here are some of the leading causes of mouth sores:

  • An accidental injury whereby you bite your tongue, cheek, or lip. This can heal quickly, except if your oral health is poor. Harmful bacteria in the mouth can quickly enter an untreated mouth sore, causing an inflammation or infection that affects your oral and general health.
  • A viral infection, such as herpes or chickenpox, can cause fever blisters or cold sores. In this case, you must address the underlying cause to effectively manage the mouth sores.
  • Stress is known to cause mouth ulcers. It can also worsen canker sores.
  • A nutritional deficiency, such as a lack of certain minerals and vitamins in the body, can cause mouth sores. Your dentist will recommend increasing your intake of iron, zinc, Vitamin B12, niacin, and folate to manage the situation.
  • Some dental appliances can irritate the mouth, resulting in mouth sores. For example, braces or poorly-fitted dentures
  • A burn in the mouth from hot foods and beverages can result in mouth sores.

Gum Recession

Gum recession occurs when your gum tissues pull back or wear away from your teeth, leaving more of your teeth exposed than usual. It causes your teeth to appear longer than they usually are. It is a progressive problem that worsens with time. Gum recession also increases your risk of tooth sensitivity, tooth decay, and oral infection. If your gum continues to recede, your teeth’s roots could eventually be exposed, resulting in wobbly teeth or tooth loss.

Gum recession is a gradual process, meaning that many people do not realize it until it has progressed significantly. Schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately if you or those around you start noticing a change in your teeth. Here are some of the causes of gum recession:

  • Aggressive Brushing

This can happen if you are using a hard-bristle toothbrush or if you apply more pressure when brushing your teeth. Your dentist will recommend the right toothbrush for you to use and provide some brushing techniques to try at home. This will prevent further damage to your gums. Your gums will eventually heal.

  • Periodontal Disease

This is a prevalent cause of the gum recession. It occurs when harmful bacteria attack soft tissues within your mouth. The harmful bacteria thrive in your mouth if your oral hygiene is poor. Your dentist will diagnose and start treatment for periodontal disease to prevent further damage to your gums.

  • Damaging Habits like Smoking or Teeth Grinding

Smoking affects blood circulation in the mouth and the delivery of essential nutrients that promote the health of your teeth and gums. It increases your risk of gum disease, which can lead to gum recession. On the other hand, teeth grinding puts more pressure on your teeth, affecting the gum’s support of your teeth.

An Imperfect Smile

Your smile is the first thing people notice when they meet you. A perfect smile gives you confidence to socialize, while an imperfect smile makes you feel less beautiful. From childhood, human teeth are not generally ideal, but clean, properly aligned teeth can boost your confidence and smile. If you have always smiled confidently but your confidence has waned over time, it may be time to see a dentist. Here are some dental issues that can affect your smile and confidence:

  • A Damaged Tooth

The appearance of your teeth greatly determines how confident your smile will be. A crack, a breakage, or a cavity can damage your teeth. Your dentist’s treatment approach will depend on the actual problem and the underlying cause. A minor crack can be quickly restored to restore your smile, while severe damage can be treated using a denture, dental filling, or a dental implant.

  • Tooth Loss

Missing one or more teeth can significantly impact your smile. However, dentists have a wide range of treatments for missing teeth. Visiting a dentist immediately after tooth loss gives them time to discuss your options and examine your gums and jawbone for effective treatment. You can receive a dental implant if your gums and jawbone are healthy and strong. If you are working on a budget, your dentist can recommend dentures. Your other option is a dental bridge. Your choice of treatment mainly depends on your budget, preference, and the condition of your gums and jawbone.

  • Stained or Discolored Teeth

Your teeth may seem perfect as a child but could severely stain or become discolored as you age. This can be due to various factors, including the foods and beverages you consume, as well as your oral hygiene habits. Professional teeth cleaning can remove stains and brighten your teeth. Dentists also offer teeth whitening solutions for teeth that are severely stained or discolored.

  • Teeth Misalignment

Misalignment or malocclusion occurs when your teeth are improperly aligned on the gums. It can happen if there is overcrowding or overspacing of teeth. Naturally, teeth should align properly, especially when you bite down. If not, you will experience bite issues that affect your speech, eating habits, and smile.

A misalignment can occur if a missing tooth is not replaced immediately after extraction. It can also happen if you allow your wisdom teeth to grow, causing them to misalign with the already developed teeth.

Dentists use braces or teeth aligners to align misaligned teeth. They can recommend extracting a wisdom tooth if it is the cause of the misalignment.

Find a Competent Dentist Near Me

Dental services play a crucial role in maintaining healthy, strong, and functional teeth, gums, and jawbones. Dentists recommend regular visits to a dental office for routine checkups to prevent common issues and treat developing ones. However, it is helpful to know when to seek immediate treatment to avoid an already developing dental issue from escalating.

At Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry, we are always ready to help you with all your oral and dental issues. We offer routine dental checkups for preventive care and emergency dental services to protect your oral health and general well-being. Our skilled dentists possess the necessary training and experience to address all oral and dental concerns for individuals and families. Call us at 310-361-2080 for more information about our services.