Hopefully, most of you reading this blog will have regular checks up with one of our dentists and also the hygienist too. This is essential to ensure the healthiest teeth and gums possible and to intervene early where any problems exist. Catching these at an early stage often means a more minor procedure is needed than would be the case if it was left.
Having regular check ups is a great start, but it is important that we pay attention to our teeth and gums in between appointments. Naturally, this means cleaning them well, but also being aware of any changes that occur, even if they seem quite small. Very few problems go from everything being OK to intense pain in one go (with the exception of accidents perhaps) and usually there are a few warning signs along the way.
In today’s blog, we are going to look at some of the early warning signs that patients of the Clarence Dental Practice should look out for.
If you notice that a tooth has started to become more sensitive, especially in cold weather or when you are eating or drinking something hot or cold, this could be a problem. The discomfort from tooth sensitivity could be relatively mild or it could be a sharp shooting pain. Whichever the case though, get it checked by a dentist, the tooth could be cracked or may have suffered from enamel erosion and will need to be treated to avoid further pain and potential tooth decay.
Any discomfort in a tooth is not a good sign and is likely to indicate that tooth decay is present. Especially if you are anxious about your dental appointments, it might be tempting to put off contacting your dentist if the discomfort is relatively mild. Unfortunately, this is a ‘head in the sand’ approach and will almost certainly result in the pain increasing and the need for more extensive dental surgery. Act quickly if you notice this and the problem may be resolvable with a small filling or similar.
If you find that a tooth starts to hurt when you bite into something or apply any pressure to it, there is a good chance that it has suffered some form of damage. The tooth might be cracked or a filling may be loose or there could even be an infection in the root canals of the tooth.
This one should be obvious but if you notice that the edges of your teeth are not as smooth as usual when you run your teeth on them, you should act quickly and contact our Staines dental clinic. Even if the damage is small, a chip can be the start of a weakening of the tooth and more significant damage could follow. If the chip is significant enough, it could expose the inner part of the tooth to bacteria and decay can follow. Small chips might be corrected with cosmetic bonding, or a filling or similar treatment might be needed.
Having bad breath might not seem to be related to oral health. It can be caused by a number of things of course, including our diet. Garlic, for example, is well known to have this effect. Persistent bad breath though is likely to be related possibly to tooth decay, but more likely to gum disease. As bacteria eat away at our gums, they expel gases which is what people can smell. If people start to move away when you are speaking to them, ask a trusted friend to tell you if your breath smells. If it does, contact us for further advice.
Bleeding gums is now well known to be a sign that gum disease is present. This doesn’t always happen though and other symptoms can occur such as soreness and swelling of the gums, pus between the teeth and many more. Sometimes though, it can also be symptom free and is why it is important that you see the dental hygienist every six months for a professional clean to help prevent this problem from occurring.
If you look in the mirror and feel that your teeth are starting to look a little longer than they used to do, it isn’t that your teeth are growing, but most likely that your gums are receding. As this happens, they expose the roots of the tooth which are less well protected by enamel and therefore at risk of damage. Talk to us if you notice this or suspect the issue may be starting.
This could be a number of things but it is worth mentioning it to our dentists. These symptoms could be a sign of TMJ. This is often caused by teeth grinding which can be damaging to your teeth. We can offer advice on this and may suggest the wearing of a mouthguard while you sleep to prevent damage. Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is often caused by stress and can be difficult to treat. You could try relaxation techniques or see your GP for help.
If you notice any of these symptoms, or have other reasons for concern about your teeth and gums, please don’t ignore it and contact us for a prompt appointment. You can do this by calling the Clarence Dental Practice on 01784 463 695 and our friendly team will be delighted to assist you.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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