Before your next dental visit, look over the list below and make note of any that apply to you. These are symptoms you’ll want to discuss with your dentist. However, even if you don’t have any symptoms, you still can have oral health problems that only a dentist can diagnose. That’s why it’s important to visit your dentist regularly.
• My teeth are sensitive to hot or cold
• My gums are puffy and/or they bleed when I brush or floss
• I have pain or swelling in my
mouth, face or neck
• I have difficulty chewing or swallowing
• I have a family history of gum disease or tooth decay
• I have a medical condition (pregnancy, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, eating disorder or HIV positive)
• My mouth is often dry
• I use tobacco products
• I am currently undergoing medical treatment (radiation, chemotherapy or hormone replacement therapy)
• I have fillings, crowns, dental implants, dentures, etc.
• I don’t like the way my smile or some of my teeth look
• I have persistent bad breath or bad taste in my mouth
• My jaw sometimes clicks, pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when I wake up, or I have an uneven bite
• I have noticed a spot or sore that doesn’t look or feel right in my mouth and isn’t going away
