Signs You Need to Visit Our Portland Dentist Office

In our Portland dentist office, we realize that many people do not know the importance of annual and bi-annual dentist visits. Our patients have generally good oral hygiene and keep an eye on their teeth. These are good habits to have, but even people who are doing everything right can have gum infections and tooth decay. Make your oral health a priority, include seeing a dentist regularly in your regimen. Here are a few signs that you may need to visit our office, even if you have kept up with all your routine appointments.

Tooth sensitivity or pain: If you have pain when you eat hot or cold foods, as well as having generally sensitive teeth when eating or breathing with your mouth open, then you may have enamel damage or the beginnings of decay. It is important to visit our dentist office and have this checked out to prevent further infection.

White spots on your teeth: If you see white spots developing on your teeth, you should visit our Portland dentist office. White spots normally mean enamel wear or decay is happening in your teeth.

Gum inflammation: If you notice that your gums are inflamed or bleeding, or if you are experiencing pain when consuming food, you may have a gum infection. It is very important to have your gums checked out because if an infection gets out of control, it can lead to tooth loss or gum recession, both of which can be costly to fix.

Bad breath, metallic taste, or dry mouth: Any of these problems may mean you have gingivitis or periodontal disease. Bacterial growth or disease in your mouth can lead to incredibly serious issues including multiple tooth loss and incredible discomfort.

Discoloration: If you notice greying in your gums, you could have periodontal disease. We can check out your mouth to make sure you don't have a serious infection.

Canker Sores: Canker sores are very common, but if they start lasting for long periods of time, you may have dangerous bacterial growth in your mouth. Mouth sores or gum bleeding can also be signs of mouth cancer, making it important to visit our office if they don't go away.

Tobacco use: Speaking of mouth cancer, any tobacco use, no matter how often, can lead to mouth cancer. As you know, cancer can get out of control and reach other parts of your body, even leading to death. If you are a tobacco user, please visit our dentist office regularly to prevent these detrimental health conditions.

If you notice any differences in how your gums, teeth, or the inside of your cheeks feel you should visit our Portland dentist office before a small problem develops into a larger one. Many serious conditions result from not having proper dental care or oral hygiene. These problems could be prevented by seeing a dentist bi-annually and anytime that you have a concern about your oral health. Don't let these problems turn into bigger ones because you are short on time when we make it convenient to schedule an appointment.