Your dentist understands that coming to their office for an exam or treatment isn’t always the most fun thing to do, but your body may be dropping obvious hints that it’s high time to see a dentist. Owings Mills, MD family dentist Dr. Suman Chibb of Owings Mills Dental Care offers comprehensive dental care for all ages, ranging from routine office visits to treating complex dental issues. So when do you need to schedule a dental visit?
1. It has been a while since your last exam
Most dentists advise that you schedule comprehensive dental exams every six months. These regular exams give them the opportunity to check for cavities, remove hardened plaque from teeth before it can become tartar, and to spot any minor issues before they become more major ones. If you haven’t seen the dentist in over 6 months, you should probably schedule an appointment.
2. You have a constant bad taste in your mouth
If you feel like there is always a bad taste in your mouth that won’t go away, even after you’ve brushed and flossed, you may be suffering from advanced tooth decay. Oral bacteria produce foul-smelling acids from their digestive waste that can cause bad breath and a persistent bad taste in your mouth. Tooth decay needs to be treated in its early stages to avoid gingivitis, infection, or even tooth loss.
3. You have pain in your mouth
Pain is the body’s way of warning you that something is wrong. Mouth pain is not normal, and could be an indication of a problem in the teeth or jaw bone. It’s important to investigate the issue when you’re having mouth pain, because many dental problems are linked to serious issues in other parts of the body.
4. You feel a tingling sensation when you eat sweet food or brush your teeth
Cavities don’t start causing pain. An early indicator that you probably have a cavity is sensitivity to temperature or sweet food. If you feel a tingling sensation in a tooth when eating sweet food or brushing your teeth, schedule a dental appointment, because it could be a sign that you have a cavity.
5. Your teeth are discolored
If your teeth are significantly discolored or have yellow deposits along the gum line, see a dentist. Discolored teeth can be indicative of a problem inside the teeth, but it also occurs naturally over time as we eat foods containing dyes and pigments. Yellow deposits along the gums indicate hardened plaque, called tartar, that needs to be removed to avoid tooth decay.
6. You have cosmetic dentistry questions
You may be wondering about the benefits of teeth whitening, dentures, implants, or fixing crooked teeth? Your dentist will be able to answer any questions you have about your dental goals and design a unique treatment plan to help you utilize cosmetic dental treatments to revitalize your smile.
7. You are missing one or more teeth
Tooth loss can happen for a variety of reasons and is not necessarily a result of poor oral hygiene on the patient’s part. Regardless of the reason, missing teeth should be replaced to preserve your oral health. Your dentist can talk to you about tooth replacement options such as implants, bridges, or even dentures.
Family Dental Care in Baltimore
Dr. Chibb’s practice, Owings Mills Dental Care, offers comprehensive, affordable, and experienced dental care to patients of all ages. We can help preserve, enhance and restore your smile with customized treatment plans based on your unique dental goals. To consult with Dr. Chibb, schedule a consultation online or call us at 410-314-9546 today!