Three Commonly Overlooked Signs That You Need A Dentist
Posted on: 10 June 2020
Most people think that they know exactly when they should see a dentist for a significant oral health problem. Pain in your teeth, gums, or bleeding are common examples. But did you know that there are more subtle signs that you need dental care, too? If you ever experience one or more of these symptoms, chances are you need help from a professional.
Tight Gums
Bleeding gums and visibly reddened gums are signs of gum disease, but what about if you don't have any of those signs? Well, tight-feeling gums are another potential sign of gum disease.
Gums are supposed to have a snug fit around your teeth in order to keep out food and bacteria. However, there's a difference between your gums being healthy and snug and overly tight. If your gums feel tight, it's usually because you have gum disease and it's causing your gums to slightly swell. When this happens, the gum tissue feels stretched and tight. This isn't a good sign, and you should talk to a dentist about it.
Difficulty Flossing
Another overlooked problem is if you're having a hard time flossing. Unless you always have a hard time with it, difficulty flossing between all of your teeth usually means that you're past the point where flossing can help.
The available space between your teeth can narrow simply because tartar has developed there. As plaque gets left behind on the edges of your teeth, it will gradually harden into tartar. This tartar occupies some of the space that used to be free between your teeth, making it significantly harder to fit floss between your teeth. Since tartar can trigger both gum disease and dental decay, you need help for this.
Sticky Plaque
Have you ever woken up in the morning with your mouth feeling sticky and gross? Maybe you've noticed stringy white or yellow substances sticking to the inside of your lips or cheeks. This is a substance called sticky plaque.
Sticky plaque is more troublesome than standard plaque. It often develops either due to dry mouth or because of medication that you're taking. Sticky plaque can make it harder to keep your mouth clean, as it often develops at night after you've already brushed your teeth. The good news is that your dentist can help you to curb this condition and can treat any damage that's already been done by it, so set up an appointment and get some help.
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