Pain or Swelling in Mouth
You may have trouble drinking cold beverages, burning or tingling sensations or even bleeding gums and you are one of many people. Anyone can experience pain or swelling anywhere in their mouth, but it is important for a professional to determine the cause for the discomfort.
Mouth Sores
When it comes to sores inside your mouth, not outside or near, most of the time it is a canker sore. A canker sore is a small lesion on the inside of the cheek, gums, tongue, or the roof of your mouth with a white center and a red border. Often, you will feel the burning from the small ulcer before you see it. Typically, you do not need see a dentist for treatment, but if your canker sore is not healing on its own, then you should make an appointment.
Mouth or Tooth Injury
If you have had a car accident or you have fallen, it is very easy to injure a tooth or any of the soft tissue in the mouth. A crack in your tooth or a bite of hot food, and your mouth will start to hurt and your gums or the roof of your mouth may start to swell. If you ate pizza with melted cheese too soon after it came out of the oven, you may not need to see a dentist, but if you hit your tooth on a hard surface after a fall, you may want to make an appointment to address any problems before they cause you more pain and more problems.
Tooth Decay
As your teeth lose enamel, they are more susceptible to the effects of plaque and tartar. As the bacteria that erodes your protective surface works on stripping minerals from your teeth, the inner layers of your tooth start to become exposed and you may experience sensitivity from hot, cold, acidic and sugary foods. The dentist can treat your tooth decay with a number of options, but as the decay goes without professional attention, the treatments are more invasive. Once you and the dentist determine a treatment plan and your tooth decay is a thing of the past, then the pain from the tooth decay will be a thing of the past too.
Dry Mouth
Some medications, some medical conditions and some family histories can result in your mouth not producing enough saliva. In certain cases, the dentist can recommend behavior changes like drinking more water or eating certain foods to help your mouth produce more saliva. In other situations, the dentist may need to offer professional support to help your mouth be a healthier environment free from bacteria and debris.
Gum Disease
The same bacteria that causes plaque on your teeth causes inflammation and infection in your gums resulting in bleeding gums and bad breath. As gum disease progresses without treatment from the dentist, it can lead to tooth loss, bone loss and gum erosion. Most American adults have received treatment for gum disease so while it is problematic, it can be treated and even prevented.
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