Dental Implants: Pros and Cons

Concerns Everyone Should Share With Their Dentist

by Brett Clark

When you visit your dentist, don't assume that you should just sit in the dental chair and let him or her do their job, without telling them about certain health concerns you have; they may find some problems on their own, but it's up to you to alert them to things that may not be so obvious. Note a few concerns you should share with your dentist and why he or she should know about these problems when it comes to your oral health.

Constant scrapes on the inside of your mouth 

If you find that you're always seeming to get scrapes, cuts, or other such sores inside your mouth, especially when they're in the same spot, tell your dentist about this. It may be that you have a jagged tooth, an overbite, or a misaligned tooth that is causing you to constantly bite the inside of your cheeks or lips, or that is scraping the skin inside your mouth. Your jaw shape may have changed with age so that this wasn't a problem before, but if you notice it now, your dentist might be able to file down a tooth or put a bonding agent over it to cover a jagged edge. In turn, you'll be protected from the risk of an oral infection from having these open sores and cuts in your mouth.

Sensitivities

You can develop sensitivities to hot or cold foods over time; usually this happens as the enamel on your teeth begins to wear away. This is dangerous as that enamel protects your teeth from erosion and cavities, and also against chips and cracks due to impact. Your dentist can usually put a protective coating over the teeth to help protect them from wear, or note if there is already a cavity that is exposing the nerve, causing sensitivity, and which needs to be filled.

Bad breath

Don't be ashamed to tell your dentist that you struggle with bad breath, and be prepared to describe when it happens and what it actually feels like. An acidic taste in the mouth may be caused by stomach acids that are regurgitated by the esophagus, and this can cause tooth decay and other damage to the mouth and throat. A sticky feeling in the back of the mouth might mean that you have teeth you're missing with your regular brushing and you may need a better brush. You might also have an oral infection or infected tonsils and these should be checked and addressed as soon as possible.

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