What sort of signs should prompt a trip to the dentist? With most dental problems there are often several such signs, though unfortunately many people actual disregard or brush them off until they get to the point where they can’t be ignored. Needless to say this isn’t a good approach and ideally you’ll immediately make a trip to the Dentist of you notice any early warning signs.

Some of the most common signs that you may notice include:

• Sensitive teeth

More often than not the fact that your Teeth are sensitive and reacting to heat or cold (often by causing a sharp pain or dull ache) means that there is some underlying problem that is causing them to do so. It could be a cavity, or it could be something else entirely, but it is definitely worth the trip to the dentist – particularly if you don’t normally have sensitive teeth.

• Bleeding gums

Have your Gums been bleeding recently? Even if it ‘only’ happens when you brush your teeth it is nothing to snort at and bleeding gums is very often the first sign of gum disease. It is definitely a good idea to visit a dentist if your gums are bleeding and they may then refer you to a periodontics specialist if they feel that it is an issue.

• Tooth pain

Much the same way sensitive teeth are a sign that something is wrong, a more constant pain in your teeth (or gums) probably indicates that a cavity has formed. If the pain is constant then it may even be quite serious so you should visit a dentist soon to evaluate what’s causing it.

• Loose teeth

Assuming a tooth feels ‘loose’ then it could be caused by a number of things – including receding gums or a cavity, or even root decay. Regardless of what’s causing it, once again it should get the alarm bells ringing and get you to make an appointment with your dentist.

As you should be starting to notice: If you notice anything wrong with your teeth or gums then you should definitely be thinking about visiting a dentist. The reason why it is always recommended to visit a dentist at the first sign of trouble is because very often the earlier you’re able to identify a problem, the better your chances of successfully treating it without it causing permanent and irreversible damage.

When you visit any Exeter dentist you should clearly tell them what issues you noticed. Try to be as descriptive as possible about why you’re concerned, and then let them check it out. Once they’ve inspected your teeth they’ll be able to recommend a course of action and you can clarify any queries that you may have at that point.

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Photo courtesy: http://www.colgateprofessional.com.hk/