5 Dental Concerns You Should Never Ignore

Even the best dental patients will suffer unexpected problems in their mouth at some point in time. While many dental problems are only temporary or can be treated at home, there are other oral health changes that need to be addressed by your dentist.

Not following up on the following dental symptoms may lead to worsening issues and threats to your overall health and/or well-being:

Toothache: Dental pain is often a signal that something needs attention. Problems like decay, infection or structural tooth damage need to be treated right away before they progress.

Painful Jaw: If you suffer from persistent pain, clicking or stiffness within your jaw, you need to let your dentist evaluate you for TMJ. Untreated bruxism or misalignment can produce significant disruptions towards your ability to eat and speak comfortably throughout the day.

Bad Breath: While this might seem like an insignificant issue or simply a social embarrassment, halitosis can also be a sign of a serious dental health problem. At the very least, you’ll get tips on how to achieve lasting fresh breath without mints or gum.

Recurring or Non-Healing Mouth Sores: Unlike toothaches, mouth sores typically go away on their own. However, there are some mouth sores that can indicate an infection or even cancer. If your oral sore is not healing within 10-14 days, let your dentist take a look.

Inflamed Gums: Swollen or puffy gums is most often an early sign of gingivitis (gum disease). Don’t ignore your gum symptoms, as periodontal disease is most easily reversed at its earliest stage. Advanced gum disease can lead to tooth loss and threats to your overall health.

At Family Smiles Dental, we want to see our patients at least twice a year. However, there are times in which you may need to schedule an additional visit. Don’t ignore changes to your dental health, especially if they are causing discomfort or seem to be getting worse. Call our Dallas dental clinic today to learn more. We proudly offer Emergency Dentistry for those unpredicted dental concerns that need immediate care.