When to See Your Gainesville Dentist

BECAUSE PREVENTION IS such a major part of good dental care, it’s critical to visit the dentist for regular general dentistry checkups. In most cases, two regular dental cleanings a year will be all you need, but not always. So what are the signs that you shouldn’t wait until your next scheduled appointment to come back to your dentist near Gainesville, VA? For this blog post, we’ve listed the top five.

1. Aches of Any Kind

If you’re experiencing tooth pain, that could mean a cavity has gotten to the point where the dental pulp is getting infected. Don’t tough it out thinking it’ll just go away on its own. Other types of pain you should bring to the dentist are an aching jaw and frequent headaches. These are often connected to oral health issues such as bruxism (teeth-grinding), and the dentist can help!

2. Mouth Sores and Bleeding Gums

Mouth sores usually go away on their own, but they can also be a sign of infection or disease, so it’s important to get those looked at when they appear. If you notice that you’re bleeding after brushing or flossing, it’s time to come see the dentist, particularly if you’re already using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Bleeding gums are one of the first symptoms of gum disease, so don’t ignore the signs!

3. Previous Dental Work

If you’ve had dental work done in the past and there’s a problem with it now, don’t wait until a regular appointment to get that fixed, because it will likely get worse. A cracked or chipped crown needs to be repaired quickly so that infection doesn’t set in. Worn-out fillings need to be replaced to prevent bacteria from thriving in the gaps between the tooth and the filling.

4. Serious Medical Concerns

Serious conditions such as diabetes, eating disorders, and gum disease affect our oral health more than we realize, and sometimes the treatments have negative impacts too. Many medications cause dry mouth, which can seriously jeopardize oral health. That’s why if you are diagnosed with a chronic disease and/or have new medications prescribed to you, Lifetime Smiles needs to know about it.

5. Bad Breath

Few things are as mortifying as being in a social situation and realizing you have bad breath, but did you know that bad breath is sometimes a symptom of gum disease or other health problems? If you find yourself having an unusually hard time keeping your breath minty fresh, it’s a good idea to visit the dentist so we can discover the underlying cause.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Video Transcript

If you occasionally have bad breath, sometimes called halitosis, you are not alone. Some studies show that 50% of adults have had bad breath at some point in their lives. There are a number of possible causes ranging from the harmless to the serious, and what would you guess is a major cause of bad breath? No, it’s not garlic, although that definitely doesn’t help. It’s actually oral microflora. While flora might sound rosy, it’s actually hundreds of types of bacteria that are naturally found in your mouth, and it definitely doesn’t smell rosy. Your warm moist mouth works as a perfect hothouse for bacteria to grow. After you eat that bacteria goes to work consuming the food particles left in your mouth and secreting waste known as volatile sulfur compounds. It’s these compounds which smell like rotten eggs that cause bad breath over the counter. Mouth washes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask the bad smelling compounds.

But the longer you wait to remove those food particles by brushing and flossing, the more likely your breath will offend. Most of the bacteria that cause bad breath are found on the back of your tongue. Stick out your tongue and look way in the back. You’ll probably see a white or brownish coating. That’s where most of the bad breath bacteria hang out. So when you brush twice a day, remember to brush your tongue to get rid of it. You can also use a tongue scraper like this one. Studies have shown that tongue brushing reduces bad breath measurements by 70%. If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night and be sure to clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning. Another cause of bad breath is dry mouth. Your saliva works around the clock to wash out your mouth, so if you don’t have enough saliva, your mouth isn’t getting cleaned enough.

This can be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems, or simply by breathing through your mouth. You might try sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies to help generate more saliva, or your dentist may recommend artificial saliva. Persistent bad breath, or a bad taste in your mouth can also be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, which is caused by plaque. Your dentist can help bring your gums back to a healthy state. Now, if your dentist rules out the causes mentioned here and you brush and floss your teeth every day, bad breath may be the result of another health problem such as a sinus condition, diabetes, liver, or kidney disease, in which case you would want to see your family doctor. If you have any questions, be sure to ask your dentist. For the ADA science side, I’m Dr. Jane Gillette.

Keep Up Your Regular Dentist Visits!

While we hope you come to see your Gainesville dentist right away if you notice any of these signs, we want to reemphasize the importance of scheduling regular appointments. Most dental health problems appear gradually, and an appointment every six months is enough to catch these problems before they become serious. You can learn more about our practice by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before you head our way.

Thank you for trusting in us to take care of all your dental concerns!

Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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