Been Avoiding The Dentist? 3 Warning Signs It Might Be Time To Go Back.
Famed actor & favorite pirate of the caribbean, Johnny Depp, was quoted as saying "Trips to the dentist - I like to postpone that kind of thing".
Does that resonate with you? Me too.
That's right...even the dentist doesn't love going to the dentist. If you're like most people, you come up with all kinds of excuses; work, dog grooming appointment, watching paint dry, etc. I've heard them all and I've even used some of them. I understand how you feel.
By Dr. John Herzog, Danvers MA
Life gets in the way at times and schedules can be hard to coordinate. But I've also seen far too many instances of long overdue patients finally getting back to see me only when pain or discomfort forced their hand.
It starts with one postponed appointment, a canceled second appointment followed by some ignored warning signs. It only snowballs from there.
To help you out I've compiled 3 of the most common symptoms that "scare" people back into my chair, plus 3 tips on how to avoid them without unneccesary discomfort or excessive costs.
3 Signs You Need to See Your Dentist...Now
1. You see blood after brushing or flossing
Bleeding after brushing or flossing is a often a result of excessive plaque build-up under the gum line which can lead to inflammation, tenderness and eventually gum disease.
While usually easily corrected when caught early, gum disease that is allowed to progress can have more serious consequences such as gum pain, bone loss around the teeth and eventually the loss of teeth themselves. Sounds scary, right?
The occassional bleeding from brushing too aggressively or flossing a bit rough isn't necessarily a sign of a major problem, but if it's happening on a semi-regular basis, I suggest you have your dentist take a look (sooner than later).
2. White Discolorations on Your Teeth
Unlike warning sign number 1, this is one of those early symptoms that is easily spotted not only by you, but those you talk and/or smile around. You may have even noticed it in someone else.
White spots on the enamel of your teeth are often an early indicator of tooth decay. This happens due to a combination of plaque build-up and the loss of calcium. Over time the bacteria (in the plaque) begins to eat away at the enamel on your teeth and if not addressed can damage the nerves and blood supply to your tooth, eventually resulting in the loss of the tooth.
The good news? Caught early this is pretty easily reversed, but because it's so hard to self-diagnose what stage your might be at I highly suggest consulting with your dentist to come up with a plan of attack.
3. Your Teeth Hurt
"Well duh Dr. Herzog...thanks for the obvious". I know what you're thinking, but hear me out.
Assuming you've not had any recent dental work and have ruled out TMJ (pain in the actual joint of your jaw), then this warning sign is another big red flag. Pain to a particular tooth is the result of nerve irritation that could be caused by any number of things; infection, decay or perhaps some sort of injury (these are the most common causes).
Warning signs to look out for here are increased sensitivity to hot or cold, pain with chewing, bleeding around your gums or swelling around a particular tooth or areas of your jaw. The offending tooth may look completely normal, but underneath trouble is brewing. Call your dentist so you can work together to identify the cause and come up with a plan to set your mind (and mouth) at ease.
8 Simple Steps to Avoid these and other warning signs
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Well, when it comes to dental care this couldn't be more true.
The reality is, the more proactive you are in your dental care the greater the chance you won't need to spend one more day or dollar with your dentist than necessary.
Do these things and you and your dentist can stay very casual acquaintances:
1. Brush your teeth before bed. This helps eliminate the germs and plaque you accumulate throughout the day.
2. Brush Properly. It's true what they say...brushing poorly is just as bad as not brusing at all. The trick? Take your time and move in a slow, circular fashion. This gives you the best chance at removing plaque.
3. Brush your tonque. Yep...you read that right. Plaque has a tendency to accumulate here as well. Brushing your tonque removes that while eliminating bad odors.
4. Use a Fluoride toothpaste. It's OK to choose a toothpaste that has the whitening or flavor characteristics you like, but above all it should contain fluoride. Besides helping fight germs, fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by forming a protective barrier for your teeth.
5. Floss, floss, floss! Contrary to what you may think, flossing isn't just for after eating corn on the cob or getting steak out from between your teeth. Flossing helps stimulate your gums, eliminate plaque and fight inflammation. Floss once a day and you're good to go.
6. Drink more water. Besides being good for you, water after every meal helps wash away harmful acids and the negative effects of sticky foods.
7. Limit sugary and acidic foods. Sugar from sodas, candy and other sweets ultimately convert to acid in your mouth which can then erode the enamel on your teeth. Be mindful of these and other harmful foods.
8. See your dentist twice a year. No matter how good you might be about brushing, flossing and other oral hygiene practices, you simply can't get it all. Visiting your dentist for cleanings and check-ups twice per year will help you eliminate that hard to reach plaque while giving him or her the chance to cut off any cavities or gum disease before they worsen.
Alright, there you have it! Practice these 8 things and you'll not only feel better but will very likely eliminate the major issues that bring people "limping" into my office.
To your health!
Dr. John Herzog
Herzog Aesthetic Family Dental Care
P.s. Have some discomfort in your mouth you'd like to get checked out or simply want to schedule that next cleaning? Click here to call or fill out the form below!
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