4 Signs That You Need to See Your Dentist Now Rather Than Later
Posted on: 9 June 2015
You may know that it's good to get a checkup at your dentist's office every year, but if you're like most adults, you may put off these checkups for as long as possible. Seeing the dentist can be uncomfortable and even painful in some cases, and some people may not be able to afford the cost of a checkup. No matter your reasons for avoiding the dentist, you might note a few surprising signs that you should book an appointment now, rather than waiting.
1. Extreme sensitivity to cold or heat
Typically this extreme sensitivity means that you have tooth decay or erosion, and now the nerve endings of the teeth are slightly exposed. When you eat or drink something hot or cold, it touches the nerves and in turn, you feel pain or sensitivity. This decay or erosion can just get worse over time, so that you have severe cavities.
If cavities are not addressed promptly, this will mean more damage to your teeth and in some cases even the pulp under its surface. You may then need a root canal rather than just having the cavity filled in.
2. Your mouth seems overly dry
Dry mouth can be caused by certain medications, or it may occur with age. However, if you notice sudden dry mouth symptoms or they persist with no explanation, this can mean that you have too much bacteria in the mouth that can damage teeth, or it may be a sign of certain mouth diseases.
3. Headaches in the morning
A headache in the morning can be caused by a number of conditions, but it can also be a sign that you're grinding your teeth at night. When you do this, the muscles of the jaw are overworked and there is constant pressure on the jaw. In turn, your head hurts when you wake up. This grinding can result in tooth erosion over time. Note if you also have pain along the hinge of the jaw as well as this morning headache.
4. Metallic taste
Gingivitis or gum disease may sometimes cause a metallic taste in the mouth, as if you've been chewing on coins. If you can't explain away this metallic taste any other way, it's good to see your dentist to check for signs of gum disease. This is especially true if you've tried to get rid of the taste by brushing or rinsing, but it still persists.
Share