We all know it’s important to schedule routine six-month checkups, but some dental ailments warrant immediate attention.  Sedki Dentistry in Commerce, MI is a family dental clinic that offers services for all dental health concerns. Here are five symptoms you should never ignore:

1) Tooth pain or sensitivity:

If you notice irritation when your teeth are exposed to sugar, heat or cold, or when you brush, you’re experiencing sensitivity. Sensitive teeth or gums can result from a variety of ailments including a cavity, a cracked, chipped or damaged tooth, root exposure, gum recession, tooth grinding or clenching and more.  Sensitive teeth can be one of the first signs of a problem and the best time to treat any issues before significant damage occurs.

2) Cracked, broken or chipped teeth or fillings:

While a cracked or broken tooth or filling is a clear sign of damage, many of us still avoid a trip to the dentist.  This may be due to fear that the damaged tooth will be too costly to fix. Or we simply get used to the chip or crack and assume all is well. Unfortunately, ignoring tooth damage can lead to significant and costly problems in the long-run including cavities, additional cracked or damaged teeth, tooth loss, and possibly an infection that can invade other areas of your body.  It’s also important to determine the cause of the damage.  Are your teeth misaligned?  Are you grinding your teeth at night?  Is food getting trapped between the same two teeth? Is there already an infection that needs to be addressed? If you have a damaged tooth or filling, don’t panic or ignore the problem.  Contact your dentist right away.

3) Bleeding gums:

Aggressive brushing or flossing, or an unseen cut to the gum can cause a small amount of bleeding, but in general, you shouldn’t ignore bleeding gums.  Bleeding gums signals irritation and inflammation and are often the first signs of gum disease.  If you notice blood along your gum line, on your toothbrush or have a metallic taste in your mouth, call your dentist.

4) Continual bad breath:

Sure eating garlic, onions or other strong foods can cause temporary bad breath but lingering halitosis (bad breath) may be a sign of something more significant such as trapped food or bacteria, a cavity, an infection, poor fitting dental appliances, gum disease, even an underlying health issue.  Don’t let embarrassment hold you back from a visit to the dentist.  Determining the cause of lingering bad breath is the key to eliminating it and protecting your health.  The problem may be as simple as better brushing habits or a change of medication.

5) Receding gums:

If you notice a tooth appears longer or larger than the others, or the gum line is unusually high you may have receding gum tissue. Other signs of receding gums include pain or teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold or sugar, or brushing and flossing.  There are plenty of reasons gums recede and the problem may be as simple as your brushing habits.  Unfortunately, when you lose gum tissue, you expose roots and bone to bacteria and infection. Before you can stop gum recession, you need to visit the dentist to determine the underlying cause.  Dr. Sedki in Commerce Township, MI, can assess the problem and find your best treatment plan, which may include the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique™ .

If you experience any of these five major symptoms, don’t delay. Schedule your appointment with Dr. Sedki today at one of our convenient locations in Detroit or Commerce Township.