To maintain our oral health, we visit our dentist’s office every six months for a routine cleaning and exam. However, sometimes dental concerns arise in between these scheduled visits.
If you notice pain or discomfort in your mouth, you should not hesitate to contact your dentist, though milder issues may need to be checked by a dental professional too. Our dentist located in Laurel, MD, describes three symptoms that you might want to get evaluated by your dental professional.
Tooth Sensitivity
If you notice a jolt of pain in your tooth when biting into a cold food item, you understand the discomfort of tooth sensitivity. This sensation occurs when the surface of your tooth, enamel, thins or weakens and exposes underlying dentin. Dentin contains nerves that send pain signals to your brain when stimulated.
Even if you find sensitivity pain to be tolerable, you should still contact your dentist if you notice this symptom. Tooth sensitivity could signify a larger dental problem, such as a cavity, that will require treatment from your dentist.
Bleeding Gums
Bleeding in the gums could occur for acute reasons, such as harsh teeth brushing techniques. However, if this symptom persists, you should let your dentist know. It could be a sign of gum disease.
Gum disease affects approximately half of all American adults. Though it may be common, it could have severe, irreversible effects on your smile. Gum disease does not go away on its own, so you should seek prompt treatment from your dental professional if you are concerned about your periodontal health.
Bad Breath
Many of us have experienced bad-smelling breath if we eat garlicky foods, but if the condition becomes chronic, you may need to call your dentist. Halitosis often occurs when food particles linger on your teeth and begin to break down in your mouth.
Brushing teeth and flossing removes this residue and eliminates the issue in most cases. If bad breath continues, the symptom could point to more serious dental problems, like tooth decay or advanced gum disease.
Call Your Dentist in Laurel, MD with Concerns
Laurel Smiles Dental Care offers periodontal therapy and other restorative dental treatments to patients in Laurel, MD. Dr. Cooper also specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry, including orthodontic solutions. To schedule an appointment or consultation with our practice, contact us online or reach our office by phone at 301.200.1315.