Listen, sometimes, despite our best efforts, dental damage just pops up from time to time. This, in and of itself, isn’t super problematic. However, when patients do not seek prompt treatment for these dental problems, long-term oral health complications can result.
With that in mind, our O’Fallon dentists are here with some early signs of dental damage for which you should stay alert. If you notice any of these changes in your own smile, it’s time to reach out to your dentist for support.
- Visible changes
Many oral health problems leave visible traces behind as they alter your teeth.
If you see small cracks and chips in your enamel, talk to your dentist about how you can address these problems before the intensify. You may also notice that your gums look red and swollen; this can be sign of emerging periodontal disease.
Another thing to stay alert for is shifting dental alignment. Your teeth can start to move along your gum line because periodontal disease has weakened the underlying support structure of your smile, or because emerging wisdom teeth are putting pressure on your existing teeth.
- Changes to how your smile feels
Clean and health dental enamel feels smooth and slick when you run your tongue across it. If you notice that your enamel has a rough or gritty feeling, you may be dealing with a buildup of bacterial plaque and tartar, and/or enamel that is breaking down due to infection.
- Changes in smell/taste
The same bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease release unpleasant odors when they grow and multiply. So, if you notice that you’re battling persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth, you may have accumulated a lot of bacterial plaque and tartar, and/or developed cavities and periodontal disease.
As soon as you notice any of these changes to your smile, you want to reach out to your dental team for an oral health assessment. Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you—give us a call!