Every adult should see a dentist on a regular basis, usually at least once per year. However, if you're like most adults you may forego seeing a dentist until it's absolutely necessary or for as long as possible. You may also overlook certain symptoms that mean you should see a dentist as soon as you can. Note the following symptoms you don't want to ignore and should be brought to a dentist's attention.
1. Chronic dry mouth
Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a number of factors, including what you eat, being dehydrated overall, and even certain immune disorders. Saliva works to remove food particles and bacteria from the mouth and rinse these away, and when you have chronic dry mouth, this can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
You want to speak to your dentist about your chronic dry mouth so that he or she can note simple fixes you might make to your diet, or note if you should see a doctor about other possible causes. This is necessary to protect your oral health.
2. Sores and patches in the mouth
A sore in the mouth may be caused by a slight cut or irritation and it may clear up after a day or so, but if you notice a sore that won't heal or any type of patches in the mouth, see a dentist. Unhealed sores can be because of a compromised immune system in the body, but these can also be signs of oral cancer. Have your dentist examine your mouth so they can be treated with medication if possible, or so that you can have the cancer treated properly and before it spreads.
3. Toothache with fever
Usually you get a fever when your body is trying to fight off an infection; when you have a toothache with a fever, you may have a tooth infection. If left unchecked, an infection can spread to other areas of the body and even grow and get worse. This pain with fever can also mean that you have a growing cavity, and if this is not filled, it can continue to grow and the pain will get worse as the nerve of the tooth is exposed.
You may notice other symptoms with this toothache and fever, including swelling, pus in the affected area, or redness on that side of the face. If the symptoms are very severe, make an appointment through clinics like Absolute Smiles as soon as possible to have your tooth examined for an infection.
Share28 May 2015
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
