Knowing When You Need a Dental Exam

A dental exam gives your dentist a chance to examine your teeth and clean them. The American Dental Association advises two dental check-ups per year so dentists can properly care for their patients. This ensures periodical examination of the patient’s mouth and the administration of preventative treatments like dental cleanings.

Figuring out if you are due for a dental exam

If you cannot remember the last time you went for a dental exam, you are probably due for one. Some of the other signs that it is time for a dental examination include:

1. Toothaches

Toothaches are not some way the universe punishes you for all your bad deeds. While it might feel that way, these are simply the body’s way of letting you know something is wrong with one or more teeth. Common reasons a person might be experiencing tooth pain include cavities, damaged teeth, and gum disease.

Any toothache that reoccurs is a sign a dental examination is due. If the pain is severe enough to prevent sleep, it requires emergency dental care since that might be a sign of an infection or abscess.

2. Teeth sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity that lasts for a few days is not a cause for alarm, but increased sensitivity that lasts for weeks might be a sign of a tooth being damaged by tooth decay, trauma, or gum disease. It can lead to sharp pain when a person consumes hot or cold food items. Teeth sensitivity can be managed with over-the-counter desensitizing products to an extent, but a dentist can provide a more permanent solution by addressing the root cause.

3. Bleeding gums

It is normal for gums to bleed once in a while after brushing, but gums that bleed after the lightest touch or stimulation might be a sign of gum disease. Bleeding gums can also be caused by poor brushing habits, particularly brushing too hard. A dentist will examine the patient’s gums during a check-up to determine the cause of the patient’s bleeding gums.

4. Sores in the mouth

Cold sores or canker sores that take longer than a week to heal should be examined by a dentist. It might be a sign of a more serious dental issue like oral cancer.

5. Chronic bad breath

It normal to have not-so-fresh breath in the morning or after eating foods like onions or fish. While this is normal, having bad breath all the time is not normal. That can be a sign of existing oral issues like tooth decay and gum disease. It can also be a sign of health problems like respiratory issues.

In most cases, treating the underlying cause of the patient’s bad breath eliminates their chronic problem. Constantly having bad breath has a significant impact on a person’s personal, professional, and romantic interactions.

Get your mouth examined

Overdue for a dental examination? Our dentist is here to help. Give us a call or visit our Mountain View clinic to set up an appointment.

Request an appointment here: https://smilesdental.com or call Smiles Dental Care at (650) 563-1180 for an appointment in our Mountain View office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Cleaning and Examinations in Mountain View, CA.