Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Regular check-ups are essential to maintaining good oral health but, while this alone is usually enough, certain symptoms may pop up requiring more immediate attention.

Some things cannot wait and if certain problems are left they can develop into something much more serious. Here are some symptoms that really should not be ignored:

Gum Inflammation

Any problem with the gums should be investigated straight away as you may be suffering from gingivitis, a treatable disease but also one that can lead to serious infection and tooth loss if left alone. One visible warning sign is a change in colour.

Healthy gums are pink but inflammation will make them much redder. You should also take notice if the gums recede, which is quite easy to spot as the teeth will appear larger and more gaps will appear between them. Other symptoms include swollen gums, a spongier texture and bleeding.

White spots on teeth

White spots on the teeth themselves are an early sign of tooth decay. As the protective enamel layer dissolves it will give way to a whiter layer underneath. Whiter teeth may be everyone’s dream but in this case it is a sign that your teeth are weakening and it must be stopped while it is still treatable.

Sensitive teeth

Sensitivity to hot or cold food is a common symptom that may not even point to a problem. However, if it comes on suddenly then you should maybe sit up and take notice as it may point to advanced tooth decay. In this case the decay has made its way through the enamel and is already affecting the nerves and blood vessels inside so it is vital to get the cavity treated before it results in tooth loss.

Pain

Pain is never a good sign, indeed the human body allows itself to feel pain so we can tell when something is wrong. If you are feeling persistent pain in your tooth then it could potentially be a rather serious problem, especially if the tooth in question is sensitive not just to heat but also to touch. This is most likely down to an infection which must be treated. The pain may go away by itself after a few days if your body manages to fight the infection but there is every chance it may return so even if it stops you should have it looked at.

Changes in the mouth

Your teeth are not the only things that can be affected in your mouth and it is important to report any changes you see or feel. White or red patches on the tongue or cheeks that do not go away, lumps developing, and anything else that was not there before should all be checked. It could be something as simple as an ulcer but any of these symptoms, especially the persistent ones, could point to something much more serious.