We know we are to visit our dentist regularly—but we wait until we sense something isn’t right before we call to schedule an appointment. But your gums and teeth also send you warning signs before yelling loudly. If you are brushing aside small soreness or have simply forgotten to schedule an appointment, there are signs from your body telling you to set aside your procrastination and call.
If any of these 10 signs sound familiar, your dentist would most certainly respond: “Let’s get that checked out—now!”
1. You Have Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Morning breath, yes, but if you discover that your breath continues to be sour throughout a normal day despite brushing, then you might have an infection or gum disease. An office cleaning from your dentist should show what is behind this issue and restore your mouth to its fresh condition again.
2. You experience sensitivity in teeth
That nagging sensitivity when sipping something cold or warm isn’t something to be ignored. Sensitive teeth can indicate worn enamel, exposed roots, or a cavity. A dentist might reduce sensitivity by treating with a quick dose of a fluoride product—or detect something more serious in time.
3. When You Brush or Floss, Your Gums Bleed
It might not seem like a lot of blood in your sink, but it actually is one of the first indicators of periodontal disease. Your dentist can examine your gums and recommend methods to prevent further progress, perhaps a deep cleaning or periodontal treatment.
4. You Have a Toothache That Comes and Goes
You experience a persistent, recurring, stabbing, sharp, gnawing, or
A sore, then painless, tooth isn’t “better”—it could actually be worse. You might have a cavity, a cracked tooth, or even an infection developing in that changing toothache. Delay can mean more pain (and more difficult treatment), so get a dentist to examine you ASAP.
5. You have noticed a change in your mouth
Persistent ulcers, white or red patches on your gums or tongue, or sudden inflammation—any of these deserve a second opinion. Your dentist doesn’t merely check for cavities; he/she also examines you for early oral cancer and other issues.
6. You are grinding or clenching your teeth (Bruxism)
Maybe your spouse notices you grinding your teeth at night. Maybe you get up in the morning with a sore jaw. Grinding wears down your teeth over time, in addition to stressing your jaw muscles. You can get a mouthguard specially designed for your mouth from a dentist, as well as safeguard your smile from nightly wear.
7. You have a dry mouth
A persistently dry mouth can be uncomfortable but also offers a breeding ground for bacteria and cavities. It might be a side effect of a drug, a symptom of an underlying condition, or something else, but your dentist can treat both symptoms and safeguard your mouth.
8. You Do Not Smile in Photos
If you are self-conscious when you smile, either because your teeth are stained, crooked, or missing, your dentist can help you. Whitening, Invisalign, implants: modern dentistry offers more convenient, more affordable options than ever before.
9. You’ve Missed a Checkup (or Two… or More)
Even if your mouth doesn’t seem to require any work, regularly scheduled check-ups can prevent problems before they even arise. The warning signs of decay, gum infection, or even overall illness might be picked up by your dentist early on if you visit regularly. If six months have gone by, then appointment time has arrived.
10. You’ve Had Dental Work Completed in the Past
Crowns, fillings, implants, bridges—any restorations are subject to periodic maintenance. They’ll all wear, loosen, or fail after a while. Your dentist monitors these and keeps everything in top shape, avoiding costly repairs down the road.
Your Mouth Requires Care—Not Avoidance
Things become crazy, we know that. But putting off that dentist appointment ends up costing more down the road—not just financially, but in pain, self-esteem, and overall well-being, too. Your dentist is on your side when it comes to maintaining your smile strong and intact.
And here’s not-so-secret advice: It takes fewer steps and costs less to treat most dental issues when you catch them early on. So if what I’ve said has rung a bell, take this as your friendly reminder to call your dentist in your area today and make an appointment!
Conclusion: When in Doubt, Check It Out
You do not need to dread the dentist’s chair or avoid visiting. Many, in fact, find a visit to the dentist relieves not only pain but fear of what may be amiss unbeknownst to you.
So if you are going through this having a persistent ache in a tooth, bleeding gums, or a sense that something isn’t quite right—trust your body. It is much better to act early than late. Your teeth — and future you — will thank you.
