Teeth are kind of like technology these days – when they’re working, they’re great, but when things go wrong, they go very wrong. If you’ve ever experienced a toothache, you know how terrible tooth issues can be. The pain can keep you from resting, and worst of all, eating the foods you love. Getting the issues fixed can cost a pretty penny, too. The good news is, it’s not too difficult to prevent these painful, serious dental issues. Regular dental checkups are the only ways to catch issues before they get too far.

In our last blog, we shared two signs that it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor whether you’re due for one or not. Today, we have a few more things you may be experiencing that indicate the need for an appointment.

Pain

• We mentioned this one earlier, because it’s the most obvious indicator that something is wrong. If you experience pain, make sure you visit your dentist. Sometimes, the pain goes away after a few days, but that doesn’t mean that the issues has gone away. Your body has powerful systems for repelling infection. However, just because it does so doesn’t mean the root cause has been solved. It often takes a dentist’s expertise to solve the problem.

White spots on your teeth

• It’s normal for teeth to have some inconsistency in color – your teeth will have darker and lighter spots. However, if your teeth develop blatantly white spots, you’re seeing the first signs of tooth decay. The enamel is starting to dissolve. These spots don’t always show up on your most visible teeth, and that’s why it’s so important to regularly see a dentist, who will be able to identify the issue before it gets too serious.

Sensitivity

• Most of us experience painful sensitivity to hot and cold in our teeth, especially when our adult teeth are new. Usually, your sensitivity settles to a consistent level. If you notice your sensitivity has changed, you may have tooth decay. Decay attacks the surface of your teeth first, undermining the tough layer and making its way into the sensitive inner tooth. When the nerves in your teeth are more exposed, you experience increased sensitivity. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint the issue, which is probably a cavity, and fill it up before the decay can cause serious trouble.

At Lavaca Dental, we work hard to help people maintain their teeth and therefore their ability to live full, comfortable lives.

Read Part 3

Contact us today!

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.