Signs You Should Visit Your Pella Dentist

Even the most conscientious dental patients – people who visit their dentist every six months and follow oral hygiene guidelines religiously – can overlook symptoms that seem benign to them. Warning signs like a painful twinge in a tooth, or seemingly minor bleeding from the gums, can be dismissed as unimportant. However, they could be signs of serious oral problems.

Tooth Pain

Tooth pain originates from a number of causes, and the severity can range from mild to relentless. Pain in the tooth might simply be a case of sensitivity due to enamel loss, or the pain could be caused by severe tooth decay. Malfunction of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) has also been known to cause tooth pain.
If you are experiencing tooth pain, you should come in for an exam from your Pella dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Allen. Cavities are usually asymptomatic until they have penetrated beyond the tooth enamel, so the sooner you get treatment for decay-related tooth pain, the better chance you have to save your natural tooth. Even if the cause isn’t critical, there is no reason to remain in agony. Dr. Allen can provide treatment and advice for tooth sensitivity and TMJ disorder, as well as other dental issues that cause oral pain.

Bleeding Gums

Bleeding gums tend to be disregarded unless they are a chronic issue, or the bleeding is extensive. In fact, if your gums bleed at all it is usually the first visible sign of gum disease. If caught early, any damage caused can often be reversed. However, if you allow gum disease to progress to periodontitis, you could be facing tooth loss and other serious health problems.
Gum disease can be avoided through regular six-month cleanings with your Pella dentist, along with good at-home oral hygiene practices. Brushing and flossing daily will stop the plaque and tartar that causes gum disease from accumulating.

Other Signs

If you see any bumps, blisters, swollen areas, white patches, or anything else in your mouth that has recently appeared without explanation, make an appointment with Dr. Allen as soon as possible. Oral cancer is a fast growing disease that can be treated if diagnosed in its early stages. It can reveal itself in many different forms, with or without pain, and that is why you should see your Pella dentist if any new lumps or bumps appear in your mouth.

An Ounce of Prevention

Oral health is rooted in prevention, so early diagnosis is always critical. Committing to regular exams and cleanings with your Pella dentist is the best way to avoid costly and painful dental disease. However, emergencies do happen, so if you are experiencing any significant discomfort that requires immediate attention, contact Allen Family Dentistry at (641) 628-1121. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA.