It’s so easy to let dental visits slide, especially once we no longer have parents making us go. The trouble is, the older people get, the more trouble-prone their teeth become. That means people visit the dentist less when they should be visiting more! Now, whether you’ve kept up with six-month dental appointments or not, there are clear signs you need to give us a call. We’re going to share them in the next few blogs, so read on!

Swollen gums

• If your gums are having trouble, it’s hard to miss because it’s so uncomfortable. When you don’t get your teeth cleaned, plaque hardens under the gumline, and the gums get inflamed. If you’re experiencing swollen gums, don’t put off getting in to see your dentist. You may have the beginnings of gingivitis or periodontitis. In the worst case, gingivitis or periodontitis will have already settled in and you’re at risk for losing teeth.

Changes of color

• When we talk about color changes, we’re talking about anything within your mouth looking different than normal. It could be the insides of your cheeks, underneath your tongue, or the roof of your mouth. Keep an eye out for lumps, discoloration, and any other inconsistencies. If you see something significantly out of the ordinary, make an appointment with your dentist. If the dentist doesn’t find any issues, you’ll have peace of mind. If there is a problem, you will have caught it early.

Canker sores

• Like inflamed gums, canker sores make themselves thoroughly known. These are painful, raw spots on the insides of your cheeks and lips. It can be hard not to bite down on them when they get swollen, but chew slowly and be patient. Usually, they go away within a few days. However, if you have a persistent sore that won’t heal, make an appointment as soon as possible. If your pain is accompanied by fever, it’s especially urgent that you make an appointment.

Headaches

• People don’t think “teeth” when they experience a headache. However, you can get headaches from grinding your teeth. Many aren’t aware they grind their teeth, because they do it at night. When do you get headaches? If it’s in the morning, chances are good that you’re grinding your teeth while you sleep. One good way to discover if you grind your teeth is to check with a partner if one shares your bed. Grinding teeth usually is very audible, and chances are good, your bed partner has heard you grinding your teeth. Either way, check in with your dentist, who can provide you with mouthguard to reduce the grinding and relieve your headaches.

Metallic taste

• This is a lesser-known symptom of gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums. There will be a distinctive taste in your mouth; it will taste like you just chewed on a handful of coins. As you can imagine, this taste means bad breath. At this point, brushing and flossing more won’t necessarily help solve the problem. Make appointment with your dentist and let a professional help you leave any issues behind!

As you can see, there are many different reasons to make an appointment with your dentist. Do not accept any of the above conditions as a part of normal life; we can fix them! If we don’t, chances are, they will get worse. The best gift you can give yourself is healthy teeth for a lifetime. At Lavaca Dental, we are proud to partner with all of our clients on their journeys. Keeping your teeth healthy is easy when you get our knowledge and experience on your side. Contact our Port Lavaca dentists today!

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