Oral Symptoms Not To Be Ignored!

hen it comes to our oral health, there are many things a typical dental patient overlooks. The mouth has been called a window to the body, so with this in mind, be sure to seek help from your dentist if you find yourself dealing with any of the following oral symptoms:

• Chronic bad breath: It’s normal to occasionally have bad breath. Perhaps you need to focus a bit more on brushing and, or you’ve had a spicy lunch or dinner. If you do have good brushing and flossing habits, and your breath is still rather smelly, this could indicate a more serious problem like advanced gum disease. Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you are concerned about bad breath.

• Gums that are swollen or tender: Just because your teeth are healthy, doesn’t mean your gums are healthy. If you have swollen or tender gums, gum disease may be the culprit. Bleeding gums is also a sign of gingivitis or advanced gum disease. Gums can also become discolored. If you have any issues with your gums, you should contact your dentist immediately.

• Enamel erosion: When the enamel of your teeth begins to erode, problems are soon to follow. Acidic foods are the main culprit for erosion, but the acid from reflux also poses a significant problem. Bulimia is an eating disorder when vomiting is induced, this too will cause erosion of tooth enamel.

• Burning Mouth Syndrome: Not nearly as common as the other symptoms mentioned here, BMS is a real problem for some people. The most noted reasons for BMS are nutritional deficiencies, fungal infections in the mouth or hormone changes in women.

• Sour taste: Do you have a sour taste in your mouth? If you struggle with constantly having a sour taste, you may have GERD – gastro esophageal reflux disease. GERD can lead to more than just a sour taste in your mouth including enamel erosion, heartburn, hoarse voice, sore throat, ulcers and inflammation in the esophagus. It is important to seek treatment to correct the symptoms of GERD and manage this disease.

• Dry Mouth: There are important reasons outside of your oral health not to ignore dry mouth including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjogren’s syndrome. Dry mouth can also be problematic for your mouth and teeth. Ask your dentist to help you get to the root of your dry mouth problem.

• Loose Teeth: It’s not normal for your permanent or adult teeth to be loose. Loose teeth can be a sign of gum disease or serious bruxism.

• Mouth Sores: Don’t be alarmed if you get a mouth sore, they are very common. Mouth sores that are white or red in color are a common sign for oral cancer. If you have a sore that lasts for more than two weeks call your dentist.

• Brown or white lines a child’s teeth: Too much fluoride in drinking water or diet can cause teeth discoloration.