Most people know to see a dentist every year if not every six months, for a routine checkup that may include x-rays and a thorough cleaning. These checkups can note if cavities are forming or if a person is not brushing and flossing as they should. However, in between regular checkups you may be experiencing symptoms that mean you should schedule another appointment as soon as you can. Note a few of those symptoms here and what they might mean.
1. Persistent Bad Breath
Sometimes persistent bad breath is just a matter of poor oral hygiene, but it can also be caused by a number of other health issues in the mouth and throat. You may have cavities that are allowing germs and bacteria to settle into these pockets of your teeth, or you may have wisdom teeth that you cannot reach with a toothbrush. You may also have infected tonsils or in some cases, you may have acid reflux disease and the acid is causing this odor, not your breath.
Whatever the cause, you want to have a dentist examine your mouth. It's good to have the problem corrected before it becomes worse, as you may suffer tooth decay or an infection may travel in your body and actually get worse.
2. Headaches, Especially upon Waking up
Headaches can be caused by a number of factors, including problems with the teeth and jaws. If your jaw is out of alignment, the top and bottom don't rest on each other for adequate support. In turn, the muscles may be overworked and this pain radiates to the back of the neck and the head. You may also be grinding your teeth at night, which is why you may have a headache when you awaken. If your headaches cannot be explained by any other health concern, see a dentist and have him or her examine the alignment of your teeth as a potential cause.
3. Teeth That Look Smaller or Thinner
Regular checkups by your dentist should catch any tooth erosion or erosion of the enamel of the teeth, but you may notice this in between your visits. This can often mean that you are grinding your teeth or you may be eating and drinking too many acidic products that are damaging the enamel of your teeth. A dentist may want to rebuild your teeth with bonding or veneers or give them a protective covering so that the enamel is restored and won't suffer more damage.
For more information, contact Dental Care @ Bentons.
Share16 April 2015
Hi! My name is Sarah, and as a busy professional, I understand the importance of making the most of my time. That includes everything from having productive working lunches to making the most of my dental checkups. I have created this blog to help you maximise your dental checkups. In these posts, you can learn how to prepare for your checkup, which questions to ask during your checkup and more. I am also going to have posts explaining why checkups are critical to your dental health as well as the health of your entire body. Happy reading, and thanks for visiting my blog!
