Treat Your Aching Tooth
5 Reasons You Should Treat Your Aching Tooth Instead of Ignoring It 1. New Cavities 2. Dental Abscess (Infection) 3. Loss of Support 4. Advanced Gum Disease 5. Other Medical Conditions
Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease
Getting in the practice of being on the lookout for clues that gum disease is forming can help you maintain a healthy mouth. It can also let you know when to seek immediate attention. Look for the following signs and symptoms. Redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating Receding gums Formation of pockets below or between teeth Continual bad breath Changes to your bite or loose teeth
Getting in the practice of being on the lookout for clues that gum disease is forming can help you maintain a healthy mouth. It can also let you know when to seek immediate attention. Look for the following signs and symptoms.
Redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating
Receding gums
Formation of pockets below or between teeth
Continual bad breath
Changes to your bite or loose teeth
Dental Hygiene-the do’s and don’ts
Do… Don’t…
Do…
- Brush your teeth twice a day! Use a soft-bristled brush with a fluoride tooth paste and be sure to brush all surfaces of the teeth, even the hard to reach places.
- Floss your teeth every day! Floss removes food trapped between your teeth and the film of bacteria that forms before it turns into plaque.
- Visit your dentist every 6 months! Regular visits allow your dentist to discover early signs of cavities and gum disease.
Don’t…
- Forget to replace your toothbrush! Tooth brushes should be replaced every 3 months—or after you recover from being sick. If you have an electric toothbrush, replace the head rather than purchasing a whole new one.
- Brush too soon after eating! Brushing immediately after eating acidic food can cause tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. To be safe, wait at least 1 hour.
- Go overboard with bleaching! Over-bleaching your teeth can make them very sensitive to hot and cold foods, thus causing a variety of other problems.
- Ignore pain or abnormalities! Toothaches can be a sign of a more serious dental issue. See your dentist as soon as you discover changes in your dental health.