Your dental health is just as important as the rest of your body’s health. However, many people ignore these dental warning signs their teeth are trying to show them.
In fact, approximately 91% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 64 have at least one cavity. Left untreated, those cavities can have serious consequences. To help you protect your dental health, here are a few symptoms you should never ignore when it comes to your own teeth.
You feel a sharp pain when you bite down
If you experience a sharp pain when you bite down, this could be a sign that your tooth’s pulp is inflamed. The pulp of your tooth refers to the center of the tooth, which is made up of living connective tissue and cells.
Pulp inflammation can be caused by an infection. Another potential reason for pain when you bite down is that you have a cracked tooth, which will need to be fixed by a professional dentist.
You have dental pain and aren’t sure why
Many different factors can cause a toothache from a sinus infection to a cavity. Cavities that are left untreated continue to make their way through your tooth’s enamel to the dentin and then to the center of your tooth where it can become inflamed and cause pain. Other potential causes of unexpected toothaches include issues with wisdom teeth or an irregular bite that may need to be corrected with an experienced orthodontist.
You feel pain when you eat something sweet
Many people have sensitive teeth, but if your sensitivity turns into pain it could be a sign that you have tooth decay. Cavities that make their way to the dentin of your teeth allow sweet, acidic, hot, or cold foods to stimulate the nerves inside your teeth. If your pain is severe when eating these kinds of foods or drinks, it could be a sign that your tooth decay is advanced, and it’s recommended to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Looking for dental offices in Farmington, NM? Four Corners Orthodontics and Dental has the experienced dentists you need. Whether you’re interested in orthodontic services, like braces, to give you the straight teeth and the wide, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted, or you need dental services to keep your teeth in great shape, we have the services you need. For more information about our dental offices, contact Four Corners Orthodontics and Dental today.