As a young mother, I was reasonably ignorant when raising my firstborn. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her take better care of her teeth. Like many people, I didn't realise the importance of baby teeth, resulting in long-term dental problems. Recently, my daughter got married and some of my tears were for the beautiful, glistening smile she presented to the cameras. Ever since I realised the dental damage I had caused, I had been saving for my daughter to have cosmetic dentistry. The results are remarkable. During the course of this journey, I have learnt a lot about caring for children's teeth and corrective procedures that can be undertaken when issues arise. I am sure many of you would be interested in the latest knowledge and techniques that are available to prevent and repair dental complications. I'm Margret Devlin - thanks for visiting.
Seeing a dentist for regular checkups is good, as a dentist can examine your teeth and mouth for health problems and developing cavities. However, you may need to see a dentist between your regular checkups in order to get proper treatment for other problems that may be developing, and if you're like most adults, you may simply put off seeing a dentist until you know a problem exists! Note a few signs it's time to see a dentist between regular checkups.
1. You have a persistent bad taste in your mouth
A persistent bad taste, meaning one that doesn't go away with simple brushing and flossing, can be the result of a number of problems that should be addressed by your dentist. You may have acid reflux disease, when the acids in your stomach regurgitate up into your esophagus and actually reach your mouth. You may also have dry mouth, meaning that you don't produce enough saliva. In turn, bacteria and germs might stick to your teeth more readily and cause erosion and other damage. You may also have poor oral hygiene, which should be corrected.
2. You have any type of sore or spot in the mouth that isn't healing
A canker sore may go away after a few days, and if you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek, this too may be painful but should heal up soon enough. However, if you notice spots inside your mouth of any color and in any location that won't go away, these should be checked by a dentist for oral cancer. Sores that don't heal can be a sign of something wrong with your immune system, or with a persistent problem that should be addressed such as chipped or broken teeth that continue to scrape the inside of your mouth.
3. You have jaw pain or the jaw pops or cracks
In many cases, persistent jaw pain is caused by an uneven bite, where the upper and lower jaws do not rest comfortably next to each other and in turn, the muscles get overworked in keeping the jaw supported. You may also clench your jaw at night or grind your teeth at night, and these can cause persistent jaw pain. If these conditions are not addressed, you may have persistent pain that doesn't simply go away, and if you grind your teeth at night, you may cause damage. Your dentist may be able to offer options for straightening an uneven bite or other solutions for relaxing the jaw and keeping you free from pain.
If you have any concerns about your dental health, don't hesitate to contact a local dentist, even if you aren't due for a regular appointment.
Share26 October 2015
