According to official government stats, Australians aren't very good at getting down to the dentist for regular check-ups. It turns out that 40% only make the visit once a year while another 30% will only drop by to see their dentist in the case of an emergency.
If you've been dodging regular check-ups, here are some signs that it might be time to bite the bullet and make that booking.
Changes in Your Gums
You should see your gums as your mouth's early warning system for serious dental trouble developing. By carefully monitoring the state of your gums, you can often nip a lot of serious issues in the bud before they have time to manifest fully.
Changes in the colour of your gums are one of the most obvious signs to watch out for, as such changes are connected to a variety of different diseases. One of the most common issues to see is red, inflamed and swollen gums being a symptom of gingivitis—a condition which comes about when plaque is allowed to build up in the mouth and harden into tartar under the gumline. Get this seen to immediately, as if left untreated it can cause your teeth to loosen and fall out.
If you notice your gums receding and your teeth seeming "longer" than usual, you will also need to book an appointment with your dentist immediately as this dramatically weakens the exposed tooth.
White Spots on Your Teeth
Slight discolouration of a tooth is usually not anything to worry about, which is good since it is one of the issues most likely to be overlooked unless it creates an immediate cosmetic issue.
If you notice white spots developing on your teeth, however, it's time to check in with your dentist. These marks can be an early sign of the decalcification of the tooth's enamel, which in turn is an early warning sign of tooth decay. Taking action at this stage can help prevent a fresh cavity from forming.
Toothache
Toothache is the archetypal sign that it's time to head down to the dentist's office. It's often the one unavoidable wake-up call that forces reluctant patients to finally get up and have their mouth's looked at. Don't make the mistake, however, of thinking that all toothache is equal.
Dull throbbing pain in the mouth is likely to not be "toothache" at all, but rather a symptom of gum disease. If the pain is severe, get it checked out immediately. If it's not severe, then typical advice is to wait several days to see if it subsides on its own.
Sharp, on-off pain, on the other hand, is often connected with a sinus condition while sharp prolonged pain is a dead giveaway that a cavity is forming and needs to be investigated ASAP by a family dental clinic like Thomas Aulsebrook & Associates.
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