Seeing your dentist routinely lets us take care of the things you can’t in your day-to-day oral hygiene care. Brushing and flossing is key to getting rid of oral bacteria that builds up into dental plaque and leads to cavities and gum disease.

Still, there is often hardened plaque around the teeth and gumline which needs to be removed with special tools used by your dentist. We also inspect your smile for any issues that may be developing, for early detection and timely treatment before they can turn into bigger, more invasive problems down the road.

And yet, there are still times when things come up in the mouth that need attention before your next scheduled visit. We recommend you to come in to be seen by one of our experienced dentists if you have any of the following:

–You may have gingivitis if your gums are bleeding or swollen. This is a highly treatable stage of gum disease, and often reversible.

–A tooth which won’t stop hurting needs to be seen. It could be a cavity or a result of gum disease. If it is abscessed or impacted it will need treatment. The goal is to save the tooth from extraction whenever possible.

–Do your teeth hurt when you expose them to hot or cold drinks? If so, you may be experiencing hypersensitivity. This can arise from a fracture in the tooth, gum recession from gum disease, tooth decay, a worn filling, erosion of the enamel, or an exposed tooth root.

–If you have oral lesions that aren’t going away on their own in a week or two, there may be something going on that requires treatment.

–If you are having persistent jaw pain, you may need treatment. Jaw pain can crop up for a variety of reasons, including sinus issues, toothache, arthritis in the jaw, jaw injury, bruxism, gum disease, and TMJ (jaw joint disorder).

Our dentists can help with all of these issues. Please reach out to our team if you have any of these conditions at a location nearest you. Our KidsKare P.C. team can be reached at 575-532-5437, so call today and get the help you need!