Most dental issues start small, with minimal symptoms, like pain and discomfort. It is easy to ignore the symptoms until the problem escalates and becomes complex to treat or manage. Dentists recommend seeking dental care early for proper diagnosis, cost-effective treatment, and prevention. However, it is important to know what to watch out for and why you should see a dentist immediately. A skilled dentist can help you identify early signs of common dental problems and what to expect once you arrive at the dentist’s office.

Some of the common dental and oral issues you should not ignore include the following:

Tooth Decay or Cavities

A cavity is a permanent hole or damaged area on the outer part of your tooth. It develops when the enamel wears down. If left untreated, it progresses fast, and the damage can extend to the inner soft layers or the tooth, called the pulp. Harmful oral bacteria mainly cause cavities. When bacteria combine with food particles left in the mouth after eating, they form a sticky film called plaque that attaches to your teeth and gums. The bacteria in the plaque feed on sugars you continue to consume, producing harsh acids that slowly dissolve the outer mineral layers of your tooth.

Although the early stages of a cavity are generally painless, you can notice some changes in the appearance of your tooth. The color changes, and once a cavity forms, the affected area darkens. As the cavity progresses, it becomes painful, forms a visible hole, and can cause tooth sensitivity.

Dentists recommend visiting their office immediately if you notice some changes in your teeth. If diagnosed early, a dentist can treat a cavity before it causes much damage to your natural teeth. Early diagnosis and treatment also prevent the harmful bacteria from spreading to the adjacent teeth.

Persistent Toothache

A toothache is the most common symptom of a dental problem. Even a slight pain should not be ignored, as it can worsen over time, leading to a major oral and general health concern. In most cases, a persistent toothache is usually a sign of an infection or inflammation. A crack or severe damage to your tooth can also cause extreme pain that does not go away even after taking pain medication. Some of the dental issues that can cause a severe toothache are:

  • A deep cavity and tooth decay, as the harmful bacteria erode the enamel and dentin and eventually reach the nerve-filled pulp.
  • A dental abscess, which occurs when you have an untreated injury or cavity, leading to bacterial infection at the root tip of your tooth and a pocket of pus that forms around the affected tooth.
  • A fractured or cracked tooth, especially when the split extends to the inner layers of your tooth, where there are nerves. This can trigger a sharp, lingering pain, especially when chewing or biting down.
  • Advanced gum disease, which causes your gum to recede as the inflammation spreads to the roots of your teeth. This becomes chronically painful and uncomfortable, and could result in tooth loss.
  • Bruxism, or a habit of grinding or clenching teeth that exerts excessive pressure on your teeth, resulting in worn-out teeth or enamel erosion
  • Impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth, which develop way after all other teeth have fully sprouted and occupied the available space on the gums. The impacted tooth becomes painful when it becomes trapped beneath the gums. This can lead to inflammation and infection.

Tooth Sensitivity

Tooth sensitivity is the sharp, temporary discomfort or pain that you feel when you expose your teeth to cold, hot, sweet, and acidic foods and drinks. Some people experience extreme pain and discomfort when brushing their teeth or when their teeth are exposed to cold air. Generally, sensitivity happens when your dentin, the second layer of your teeth, is exposed. The outer layer, the enamel, is generally very strong. It protects the inner sensitive parts of the teeth. If the enamel wears down, the dentist is left exposed. The dentist has microscopic tubes that directly lead to sensitive nerves, which is why your exposed teeth feel sensitive.

You may experience sensitivity if you always brush too hard or use a toothbrush with hard bristles. The heavy pressure you exert on your teeth during brushing can wear down your enamel, eventually exposing the sensitive dentin. Enamel erosion can also occur if you enjoy acidic foods and beverages, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, sodas, and wine. Gum recession and cavities also expose the sensitive inner layers of your teeth.

Tooth sensitivity will prevent you from comfortably enjoying your favorite foods. It will also make it difficult to brush your teeth, chew, bite, or even speak. That is why you need to see a dentist immediately after you experience it, and before it worsens.

Swollen or Bleeding Gums

If you do your daily oral hygiene properly, using the right toothbrush and brushing techniques, your sensitive gums should not bleed or feel painful. When they do, it could indicate a serious problem that requires the attention of a skilled dentist. Your gums can bleed or become swollen for several reasons, including the following:

  1. Plaque and Tartar Buildup

Plaque is the sticky film that forms on your gums and teeth when harmful bacteria combine with food debris in the mouth. If not cleaned out, plaque hardens into tartar, which sticks to the gums or teeth, and is the leading cause of cavities and gum disease. The accumulation of harmful bacteria along your gumline, in the form of plaque or tartar, can cause inflammation, which can make your gums swell or bleed.

  1. Gingivitis or Gum Disease

Gingivitis is the mild form of inflammation that occurs when harmful bacteria consume sugars and starches from your food to produce very strong acids. The acids make your sensitive gums tender, puffy, and very susceptible to bleeding, even after a slight touch. If gingivitis is not diagnosed and treated early enough, it can progress to gum disease, or periodontitis.

  1. Aggressive Brushing or Flossing

Basic oral hygiene habits, which include brushing twice and flossing daily, are highly recommended as a preventive measure against most dental and oral issues. However, they must be performed correctly to protect sensitive tissues, like the gums. Brushing or flossing too hard can damage your gums, causing them to swell or bleed.

  1. Ill-Fitting Dental Appliances

Your gums can also be affected by ill-fitting appliances like retainers, braces, and dentures. Damaged appliances can also injure your gums, causing them to swell and bleed. You need to see your dentist immediately if you notice this.

Chipped or Cracked Tooth

Natural teeth are generally very strong because of their outer protective layer, the dentin. However, if the tooth is subjected to severe force or trauma, it can crack or chip. This is possible in the event of an accident, like a slip-and-fall, a road accident, or an injury during a sporting activity. A chipped or cracked tooth can also result from habitually clenching or grinding your teeth.

You should treat chips and cracks as an emergency, especially if they are extremely painful and extend to the tooth’s underlying structures. Leaving a crack or chip untreated for prolonged periods also puts you at risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections.

Your dentist should examine the chip or crack immediately to ensure that your pulp or nerves are not exposed. Remember that some chips or cracks may seem minor on the surface, but actually extend to the soft inner pulp, where the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels are found. If you are in extreme pain after the accident, visit your dentist immediately.

A quick diagnosis and treatment also reduces your risk of infection. Oral infections should be prevented or treated promptly, as they can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. Additionally, treating chips and cracks promptly helps you manage severe symptoms, like pain and sensitivity.

Tooth Abscess

An abscess is a painful pocket of pus that accumulates in or around a tooth. Harmful bacteria cause it and indicate a bacterial infection. When harmful bacteria gain access to your tooth or gums through an opening, like a cavity, or through plaque or tartar, they cause an infection. Some of the primary causes of tooth abscesses are:

  • A serious tooth decay, or an untreated cavity that has broken down your tooth’s enamel, allowing bacteria to penetrate the soft inner pulp of the tooth
  • A broken or cracked tooth that has allowed access for harmful bacteria to penetrate to the tooth’s underlying structures
  • An advanced gum disease or periodontitis that has inflamed your gum tissues, deepening them and giving access to the harmful bacteria to penetrate the teeth’s roots.
  • If you have suffered dental trauma or any other kind of injury to your tooth that has exposed your tooth’s pulp to harmful bacteria. This can cause an infection even without a visible crack in your tooth.

Remember that oral infections spread very quickly and can affect the rest of your body through the bloodstream. That is why you should visit your dentist immediately if you notice an abscess.

Halitosis, or Chronic Bad Breath

Halitosis is chronic or persistent bad breath that does not improve despite improved daily oral hygiene habits. It can happen if your oral hygiene habits are poor, meaning that you do not brush or floss daily as recommended. This causes harmful oral bacteria to combine with food debris in the mouth, releasing smelly, volatile sulfur compounds. However, poor oral hygiene is not the only cause of halitosis. If you improve your oral hygiene habits and do not see any significant change in your breath, the cause could be any of the following:

  • A dry mouth or xerostomia, which happens when your mouth is not producing enough saliva. This can be because of the medication you are taking, breathing through the mouth, or you have issues with your salivary glands.
  • Gum disease, which is the advanced form of gingivitis, is caused by plaque buildup. Gum disease deepens your gum pockets, which creates a perfect place for harmful odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
  • Consumption of tobacco products, like smoking, can also cause bad breath, dry mouth, and increase your risk of gum disease.
  • Underlying medical conditions like diabetes, acid reflux, sinus infection, and liver or kidney disease may also affect your breath.

You need the help of an experienced dentist to understand the cause of your bad breath and your best treatment options.

Shifting or Loose Teeth

An unstable tooth in an adult should not be ignored, as it can result in the loss of a natural tooth. It can also worsen into a more serious and expensive-to-treat dental issue. That is why you should see a dentist immediately if you notice that one or more of your teeth are loose or shifting.

Your teeth can shift or loosen when you have advanced gum disease. This happens when harmful bacteria penetrate your deepening gum pockets, exposing more of your teeth than usual. The disease weakens the structure that holds your teeth firmly in place, making them wobbly and eventually causing them to fall out.

Your teeth can also shift if you have bruxism, a condition that causes you to grind or clench your teeth habitually. Your teeth can also shift if you have a missing tooth that has taken so long to replace. The adjacent teeth shift into the remaining gap to fill it up, and this can affect your bite.

Osteoporosis or reduced jawbone density can also weaken the anchorage of your teeth, causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.

A skilled dentist will determine the cause of the shifting or loosening and address it immediately before you lose your natural teeth.

Find an Advanced Dentist Near Me

Your oral health is as important as your general health. That is why you should act quickly when you experience a symptom indicating a dental problem in Los Angeles. A skilled dentist can help you determine some of the common symptoms to watch out for. We also recommend an immediate visit to our Los Angeles Advanced Dentistry office if you suspect a dental problem. Call us at 310-361-2080 to discuss your dental care needs and our services in detail.