It’s surprisingly easy to delay your regular dental appointments and then hope that your toothache or sore tooth will just go away. Unfortunately, most problems related to oral health do not go away without dental treatment. When a toothache persists, it may develop into more excruciating pain, more expensive and complex dental work, or irreversible damage to your tooth or gums. Your mouth is usually one of the first places to tell you if something is not right with your health. Being able to identify the early warning signs means you can get timely dental help, which can help preserve your teeth and also impact your overall health. Here are seven reasons you should see your dentist immediately: Toothaches are probably the most common reason for people going to the dentist. Tooth sensitivity is normal sometimes, but persistent toothache should never be ignored. The reasons for a toothache often include:CavitiesDental abscessesCracks in teethGum infectionsImpacted wisdom teeth If your pain lasts for more than a day or if it keeps worsening, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your dentist so it can be examined promptly and potentially prevented from escalating further. Bleeding gums during brushing or flossing should not be ignored. Bleeding, tender, or swollen gums are often a symptom of gum disease. Signs that this may also occur include:Soreness of gumsPersistent bad breath Gum disease usually starts as gingivitis, which without treatment can become periodontitis, leading to lost teeth, among other health complications. Do you have sudden, sharp pain whenever you drink a hot beverage or cold drink, or when you eat something sweet? A sudden increase in tooth sensitivity is one more clear sign of an oral problem that you should have your dentist look at. Common causes include:Tooth decayA tooth that has crackedReceding gums revealing the root of the toothA worn down layer of tooth enamel Your dentist will check and make sure the correct treatment is applied before it gets any worse. You can expect the teeth to be firmly anchored. If you think that any of your teeth have become loose or seem to be shifting a lot more than usual, then you must see a dentist immediately. This can indicate that there is:Advanced gum diseaseLoss of bone in your jawAn infectionTrauma to the tooth Treating the issue quickly can prevent losing the tooth entirely. We all have occasions of bad breath, perhaps after eating something that smells strong. If your breath does not seem to improve with regular brushing and mouthwash, however, it can mean there is something more serious going on. Most causes for bad breath are dental and include:Gum diseaseCavitiesMouth infectionsOral infectionsdry mouth Your dentist will examine you and determine the cause of the bad breath so the correct treatment can be applied. Usually, minor mouth sores will heal in just one to two weeks. If you experience an oral sore that has not healed within that time, you must have it checked by your dentist. They may look like:Unexpected lumps or bumpsUncomfortable and long lasting ulcersWhite or red spots inside the mouth on the gums or cheek Most mouth sores are harmless but can also sometimes signify something that needs treating more urgently. Facial swelling in the face, mouth, neck, or gums is a dental emergency. If the infection is not treated right away, the infection can potentially spread to other parts of your face. The symptoms are normally:Sharp pain around your gums or jawSwollen gumsFacial swellingBad taste in your mouthFever If you have facial swelling and have an infection in a tooth you will need to get to a dentist as quickly as possible. Preventative Care For Your Teeth While it’s not possible to prevent all dental issues, you can significantly reduce the risks through proper dental care. Do This to Protect Your Smile:Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.Floss daily.Limit sweets and other high-sugar foods.Drink plenty of water.Avoid smoking and chewing tobacco products.Wear a mouth guard during any sports or physical activities.See your dentist for routine check-ups every six months. Preventative dental care will not take up nearly as much of your time nor will it be as costly as seeking dental treatment in an emergency. Conclusion Your teeth and gums are critical parts of your health. Neglecting the signs of potential oral problems can lead to excrutiating pain, extensive dental bills, and ongoing issues that can affect your long term oral health. If you suffer from persistent toothache, gums that consistently bleed or swell, shifting teeth, or an oral sore that doesn’t seem to get any better, contact your dentist immediately. Early treatment and diagnosis are essential for maintaining your oral health and also to avoid further, wider health issues. The health of your smile is important and will benefit significantly from treatment while the problems are still minor. FAQ’s

10 Essential Tips for Keeping Your Teeth and Gums Healthy Introduction When was the last time you gave your teeth a thought when they felt perfectly fine? For many people, the first time that we pay attention to our dental hygiene is only when something is clearly wrong – a toothache that just won’t quit, a mouth full of blood when brushing your teeth, or that strange sensitivity to cold or hot foods. By then, it is usually too late. The problems had already been festering for months, if not years, by the time they manifested. Good news, however is that keeping your teeth and gums healthy and clean does not have to be an arduous task. By incorporating just a few simple habits into your daily routine, you can not only prevent tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath, but you can also avoid costly future procedures and treatments. The professionals at Pearl White Dentistry strongly believe that prevention is always better than treatment. That is why we compiled the list of these helpful tips for keeping your teeth and gums healthy for many years to come. If you want to improve your current habits or just keep your teeth healthy, read on. Most people brush their teeth at least once every day, however many do not allow themselves enough time to properly do so. Consider how rushed you often are on busy mornings. You have to get dressed, look for your phone, fix your breakfast and leave your home without being late. This may cause you to cut the brush time to perhaps just half a minute and then call it a day. The issue is that you cannot remove the film of plaque from your teeth in this way. A proper two-minute brushing may seem a bit excessive when your time is tight but in this amount of time, you can effectively remove the bacteria and food that gather on your teeth. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub in small circles. Ensure that you reach the back of your mouth as well where food particles get stuck quite easily. Do not forget to brush your tongue. You will be amazed at the amount of bacteria that collect on it! This Will Help: It does not take long to ensure that your future will not have to involve painful and expensive tooth procedures. Most people simply forget about flossing every day. Patients will claim to brush their teeth twice a day, believing that this should be sufficient for keeping their mouths healthy. While brushing is vital, it cannot clean the spaces between your teeth. It is in these areas that food particles get trapped. Over time, this builds up into a hard plaque. If this is not cleaned out thoroughly every day, it is the ideal location to develop cavities and it will inevitably lead to gum disease. It only takes two minutes a day to floss correctly, and there are now many types of dental floss available that will make the process easier to perform correctly. If regular floss is proving too difficult to use, you could try using a dental pick, or even invest in an electric water flosser to effectively clear the gaps between your teeth. The benefits: Your teeth and gums will thank you for these two minutes every day. Your diet can have a significant impact on the state of your teeth. When you consume foods high in sugar, bacteria thrive and they create a coating of acid over your teeth. This can corrode your enamel and in turn lead to the development of cavities. This does not mean that you will never be able to enjoy a sweet treat again but if possible, try and limit the amount of sweet foods that you eat daily, or have them as part of a meal rather than between meals. Constantly snacking can leave your teeth vulnerable to attack from acid for a longer period. Instead, choose foods which benefit your teeth and gums: For your teeth and gums: Limit: By choosing healthier food and drink options, you are doing your teeth a huge favor. Many people worry about how to take care of their teeth, however they are missing a very basic, inexpensive and powerful aid, water! Drink water frequently throughout the day. It serves the primary purpose of flushing away any food particles and bacteria that has built up in your mouth and will help keep your gums healthy and strong, since it also increases the rate at which your saliva is produced. This means that harmful acids are constantly neutralized and rinsed away. After finishing a sugary or acidic drink like juice or cola, rinse your mouth with some water in order to remove as much of the damaging substance from your teeth as possible. The benefits of drinking water: Simple, yet so beneficial! Have you ever actually looked at your toothbrush when you last had to change it? Most of us leave them in the medicine cabinet until the bristles are already bent, frayed and flattened. As they get worn out, they no longer clean your teeth effectively, which increases the buildup of bacteria and plaque, and it is recommended that you replace your toothbrush approximately every three to four months, depending on how often it is used. You should replace it right after you have overcome a sickness such as the flu or a bad cold. Time for a new toothbrush when: It only costs a little bit and your teeth will really feel the difference. Most patients who suffer from bleeding gums assume that this is a common issue and simply make a note to brush more gently. However, this is one sure way of ensuring that a problem which could have been so easily solved turns into a persistent and major issue. Bleeding gums are nearly always caused by a buildup of plaque on your teeth which leads to your gums being inflamed, or gingivitis. As stated