Tooth pain

3 Signs It’s Time for a Dental Checkup

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Categories: Oral Health, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

When you begin to feel something is amiss in your mouth, it’s probably due to an underlying issue and it may be time to get help ASAP!

You shouldn’t wait and hope it will go away on its own as it could turn into something much more serious. Most times, it’s very much advantageous to tackle the problem at the earliest possible stages. Here are three signs it’s time to schedule a dental checkup right away:

1. Dry mouth

We all have experienced this “cotton mouth” feeling at some point. However, a chronic dry mouth is a more serious condition that, when left untreated, can have consequences.

Dry mouth was by far the most commonly reported oral ailment in a recent survey conducted by the American Dental Association of 15,000 adults in the United States. Dry mouth was especially reported by older people. In cases like this, the salivary glands are usually unable to produce enough saliva to fight mouth diseases and neutralize mouth acids.

This condition at times can be caused by changes in medications as well as some other systemic conditions. You should seek treatment as soon as possible so you don’t put yourself at the mercy of tooth decay or periodontal disease. If you feel like your mouth feels abnormally dry on a regular basis, talk to your dentist and book a dental checkup right away.

2. Tooth pain

About one-third of the people surveyed by the ADA pointed out tooth pain as their greatest oral problem. Most times, this is caused by an abscessed gum, a decayed tooth or similar conditions.

This won’t go away on its own, and in most cases delaying treatment may complicate things even further as well. If your tooth suddenly begins to cause pain, consider getting a dental checkup immediately.

3. Chewing difficulty

If you’re finding it difficult to bite and chew, you’re not alone. Many of the ADA survey respondents revealed this as a major dental problem.

Like the case with tooth pain, chewing difficulty could be caused by a decayed tooth, a cracked or loose tooth, as well as the jaw joint disorder temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJD/TMD.

TMJD can make it quite difficult for sufferers to bite and chew, which can also impact nutrition.

Regular dental checkups have huge benefits. Many times, your dentist may be able to identify problems before they even manifest or become a more serious problem.

If you have any of these oral health issues affecting your comfort, make an appointment right away for a proper dental checkup. You can schedule a visit or contact us today at 970-221-5115 for more information.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

Tooth Pain: Why Does it Happen?

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Categories: Oral Health

We all experience dental pain at some point in our lives. It could be caused by many factors, but the key to finding relief is identifying the root cause.

Let’s talk about three of the most common cause of tooth pain along with the best ways to find lasting solutions to each. That way, you’ll be able to prevent more damage, repair existing damage and, more importantly, regain your comfort.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth pain for most people. It usually starts as gingivitis with swollen, red and tender gums that bleed at the slightest provocation.

Gingivitis, if left untreated, will progress to periodontitis, a more advanced form of the disease. Periodontitis is more severe and the damage can be permanent, often pulling the gums away from the teeth.

This ends up creating pockets of infection that destroy the supporting bones and fibers of the teeth. In many cases, the teeth may have to be pulled or may even fall out on their own.

Simple preventative habits like proper and regular brushing, along with flossing, can help you protect your teeth from gingivitis and periodontitis. Once the condition has set in, you’ll definitely need the expertise of your dentist to restore your dental health. LANAP, a laser treatment, is usually used in these cases.

Cavities 

Along with gum diseases, cavities also come in as one of the common causes of tooth pain.

This dental pain begins with bacterial accumulation on the tooth, forming plaque. The resulting plaque then breaks down the minerals on tooth surfaces, causing small pits. These pits of infection and decay are called cavities.

Not treating cavities can lead to serious damage and even infection. Staying protected against cavities will largely depend on your dietary habits as well as your oral hygiene.

Brushing and flossing properly will go a long way in clearing bacterial accumulation on your teeth. You also need to ensure you’re being consistent and brushing and flossing every day.

Missing Teeth

Missing a tooth or teeth can be embarrassing. But it can also make speaking and eating difficult. Losing one or more teeth can cause dental pain and generally affect your quality of life.

Dental implants, dentures and other restorative procedures can help you get your smile back and end any pain in the area.

If you would like more information on tooth pain or need to schedule an appointment, call us today at 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526