Reasons to Call Your Dentist

Dentists worry a lot. Walking down the street, on the subway, at parties, on the weekend, dentists notice the people around them. Dentists think, "That man or woman has a dental problem. I can help them. I wish that they would ask." Here are ten signs that one should seek professional dental care, some a dentist will notice in passing, others are not so obvious.

Do not see a dentist first when experiencing unrelenting pain on the left side of the jaw or mouth. This kind of pain may indicate a heart attack. Dentists may suspect this after examining a patient and finding that the pain is not due to a dental condition. That will waste valuable time. People with this kind of pain, especially older people or those with a history of heart disease should go straight to a hospital emergency room. If the pain becomes extreme or is accompanied by pressure in the chest, when suspecting a heart attack, do not wait more than 5 minutes to call 911 to request assistance.

Some oral health issues are emergency conditions that require immediate treatment by a general dentist, oral surgeon, or an emergency room physician if necessary. When an adult or succedaneous tooth is knocked loose or even knocked out in a accident, it is important for a dentist to care for that tooth as quickly as possible. In this case, quickly means in about a half hour or less. When no dentists are available, go to a hospital emergency room. Emergency room staff may know how to reimplant a tooth without a dentist, or there may be a dentist on call. It is more likely to find a dentist on call at a major city or regional hospital then a small local institution.

Any swelling in the face or mouth may be a sign of a dental infection. Anyone with a swelling should see a dentist that same day, or at least speak with their dentist on the phone. Go to the nearest hospital emergency room if the swelling is in the back of the mouth and interferes with breathing or swallowing.

Dentists see new patients every day. Usually, new dental patients request routine care, a check-up, x-ray exam, and a dental cleaning. However, many people feel that they need a reason to call for an appointment.

Bad breath may be a sign of gum disease. Gingivitis is easy to treat; periodontitis is more serious. Left untreated, periodontitis will lead to tooth loss.

Sensitivity to cold may be innocuous. It is normal to feel a bite of cold when teeth touch ice cream or ice. Dentists use cold to test teeth to be sure that they are healthy. Gum recession, acid erosion, and tooth decay expose sensitive parts of teeth to the oral environment.
Bleeding gums are always a bad sign. Some medications and medical conditions cause bleeding gums. Gums with bleed when brushing and flossing are a common sign of gum disease.

Jaw pain when opening or closing the mouth may indicate that something is wrong with the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ). Most dentists will know how to help patients in this situation, or they will be able to refer their patients to a specialist who treats TMJ dysfunction.

The sign of another TMJ problem is when the jaw locks open or shut. While this may be due to passing muscle tightness, dentists know how to help patients feel better quickly.

Many people lighten their teeth by using bleaching products. Despite the existence of over the counter bleaching products, store front bleaching studios and even mall kiosks, bleaching is an invasive procedure. This procedure is not appropriate for everyone. Always ask a dentist for a thorough evaluation before bleaching.

A chipped or broken tooth is a problem in itself, but it may indicate a poor alignment of the teeth and/or the jaws themselves. It may take a very experienced dentist or a dentist with advanced training to understand how to help such a patient. Just repairing the chipped tooth will not prevent the tooth from breaking again.

Anyone who has not seen a dentist in six months or more should call for an appointment. The dental profession is geared towards prevention. While, dentists make their living repairing broken and infected teeth, treating gum disease, and replacing missing teeth, they are more happy when treating simple gum disease by cleaning teeth and teaching patients to brush and floss effectively. Dentists enjoy visiting with their regular patients semi-annually to catch up on family stories and heat the latest news.

There are many more reasons to visit your dentist. Essentially, if you feel it is time to speak with your dentist, it is time.