It’s important to recognize when you should turn to a dentist for treatment and care.
Even though visiting a dentist is just as crucial as visiting the doctor each year, many Americans do not come in for their routine dental checkups. According to the American Dental Association, as many as 42 percent of Americans don’t see the dentist as often as they should. Here are four signs that it’s time to visit our Ann Arbor, MI, dentists Drs. Wayne and Brett Walcott.
You have a toothache
This is probably one of the most common reasons patients come into our office; however, we also want you to know that a toothache is a dental emergency that requires immediate treatment, so don’t put off that trip to or Ann Arbor, MI, dentist office. Putting off treatment will only make the problem worse. Most of the time, a toothache is a sign of a cavity; however, a toothache can also be a sign of an infected tooth, severe gum disease or an abscess.
You have red, inflamed gums
If you notice that your gums have become quite puffy, tender and red, these are all signs that you could have gum disease. While you may notice a spot or two of blood if you brush or floss just a little too vigorously if you notice persistent bleeding whenever you brush and floss this is a sign of periodontal disease. It’s time to come in for an evaluation, as untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and even bone damage.
You have persistent bad breath
While waking up with morning breath may seem rather commonplace you shouldn’t deal with bad breath that lingers throughout the day, despite good oral hygiene. While you might expect bad breath after coffee, this isn’t something that you should be dealing with day in and day out. If you have chronic bad breath, this could be a sign of a cavity, periodontal disease or an underlying medical condition, so it’s important to see a dentist to find out what’s going on.
You sustained a dental injury
Whether you bit down on something very crunchy and chipped off a piece of your tooth or you are dealing with a toothache after being hit in the face with a football, it’s important that any and all dental injuries are treated like an emergency and that you see your Ann Arbor, MI, family dentist immediately. Most injuries can be fixed if you seek proper and immediate medical attention.
Whether you need to schedule your six-month dental cleaning with our Ann Arbor, MI, dentist or you’re dealing with serious dental problems that require emergency care, turn to the team at Walcott Dental. Call us at (734) 994-3700.