When you notice changes to your smile, this could be a cause for concern. Toothaches, bleeding gums, or loose/missing teeth could mean serious issues that further harm the stability of your smile. In today’s blog, your Des Moines, IA, dentist talks about treating painful symptoms and restoring oral health.
Toothaches
If you have a toothache that vanishes as quickly as it started, this could be due to sinus infections, allergies, or even changes in elevation. But a toothache that continues for more than a day could mean you have a cavity. Once your tooth hurts, this means the decay has reached a more advanced stage, and lack of treatment could allow a painful infection to develop, one that could threaten the stability of your tooth. When your tooth hurts, see us for treatment right away. We will examine the teeth and see if you need a custom-made filling or dental crown.
Sore, Bleeding Gums
When you notice changes to your gum tissues, this is a serious cause for concern. Sore, red, and bleeding gums could mean gingivitis or the early stages of gum disease. With gingivitis, we can reverse the inflammation with treatment. But there is no cure for gum disease, and instead regular care is necessary to manage it and prevent periodontitis, the advanced stage linked to tooth loss. We may perform a scaling and root planing, and follow this with traditional dental cleanings every three to four months to save your smile from worsening pain and missing teeth.
Loose or Missing Teeth
Losing your natural teeth could cause more than just an embarrassing gap in your smile. Your missing teeth could cause misalignment, jaw joint trouble like TMD and bruxism, and even difficulty eating and speaking as the rate of tooth loss worsens. When you have loose teeth, or have lost one or more of your natural teeth, then see us right away for treatment. We can discuss the use of prosthetics like bridges, full and partial dentures, and even dental implants to fill the gaps and restore the function and beauty of your smile. We always take care to ensure our prosthetics will fit comfortably, and also offer a lifelike appearance that blends with your smile and reflects your facial structure too.
If you have any questions about how we treat missing teeth and other concerns, then contact our team. We would love to see you for a checkup and cleaning every six months.
SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH YOUR DES MOINES, IA DENTIST’S OFFICE
We would like to help you enjoy a healthy and comfortable smile for years to come. If you would like to find out more about addressing dental discomfort, then contact your Des Moines, IA, dentist, Dr. Burds, by calling 515-244-9565.