When was the last time you had your teeth professionally cleaned? Do you have an appointment on the calendar? Or, did the coronavirus cause you to cancel? Either way, if it’s been over 6 months since you last came in to see your favorite Raleigh dentist, then it may be time to give us a call. Scheduling a dental appointment will take just a few minutes and we’ll do our best to see you as quickly as possible such that your oral health concerns are met. Today we’ll discuss 5 signs that it’s time to see your Raleigh dentist.
Last March, most businesses were forced to close due to Covid-19, including ours. If your appointment was scheduled during that time it’s possible that we’ve already tried to reschedule your appointment. However, we know that individual comfort levels vary and that you may not have been comfortable at the time with coming in for your scheduled appointment. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has continued to surge across the nation, but we can assure you that we have made adjustments to our business practices to reduce the risk of transmission.
Still, we know that you may be hesitant. While we can agree that putting off your professional dental cleaning appointment may be okay for a few weeks or months, there are some instances in which you should make an appointment with your Raleigh dentist right away. The longer you wait, the more likely the problem will continue or worsen, so we encourage you to reach out to us immediately if you are experiencing any of these conditions.
1. You’ve Broken or Chipped a Tooth
Accidents happen, especially during a pandemic. While we can tell ourselves (and our kids) to avoid getting injured because who really has time to go to the emergency room right now, life still happens. Therefore, if you chip a tooth, here’s what to do. Place the chip into a glass of milk and call our office to schedule an appointment with your Raleigh dentist immediately as this type of situation can worsen over time if you don’t address it. We will first attempt to reattach the chipped portion. However, if we’re unable to attach the chipped piece, we can use dental bonding to restore your tooth.
2. You’re Experiencing Any Pain in Your Teeth
If you’re looking for a sign that you need to see your Raleigh dentist, this is it. Your teeth should not be in pain for any reason. If they are, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Tooth pain can be caused by a number of issues including, dental infections, cavities, exposed nerve roots, gum disease, damaged teeth, and more. While taking over-the-counter pain medication can help, it’s important to address the underlying problem as quickly as possible.
3. A Tooth Falls Out (and you’re way too old to expect a visit from the Tooth Fairy)
While losing teeth is quite exciting if you’re 6, 7, or 8 years old, losing teeth is far from normal if you’re an adult. In fact, if you lose a tooth for any reason (knocked out while playing softball, street fight, or bad oral hygiene), then it’s important to recover the tooth and call our Raleigh dentist office as quickly as possible. Assuming that the tooth is still in good condition, it’s possible that we’ll be able to secure it back in place or replace the tooth. However, it’s equally important that we’re able to cleanse the area and remove any bacteria that may have entered the hole to prevent infection. It’s also worth noting that if you’re experiencing significant bleeding that won’t stop, go to the emergency room first to control the bleeding.
4. Your Gums Are Bleeding
During your semi-annual professional dental cleaning appointment, we can often tell if you’ve been neglecting to floss your teeth as your gums will often get puffy and bleed. While some amount of bleeding can be considered normal, if your gums regularly bleed every time you brush and floss, then it could be an indication that periodontal disease exists. The same can be said if you have any pain in your gums. If you experience any gum bleeding or pain, give your Raleigh dentist a call so that we can begin treating your condition. The sooner we’re able to treat the situation, the more likely you can avoid a more costly and painful problem in the future.
5. It’s been over 6 Months Since Your Last Cleaning
We recommend that you see your Raleigh dentist every 6 months to ensure your oral health is maintained. Dental care is more than just treating a problem. By regularly scheduling preventative care appointments, you may better preserve your oral health for many years to come. During these appointments, you can expect to receive a professional dental cleaning as well as other treatments such as deep cleanings, dental sealants, cavity treatments, fluoride treatments, and more.
Be sure to visit your dentist regularly to prevent serious dental problems from forming. If it’s been more than six months since you’ve seen the dentist, call Dr. Katherine E. Garrett and schedule your appointment. New patients are always welcome, and we are proud to provide dental care for your entire family. Don’t wait until you have a dental emergency, call our office today!
