Kids and Teeth from Babyhood to University

Most adults are advised to see a dentist at least once per year, even if there is nothing particularly wrong with their mouth and teeth. Having an annual exam and x-rays can ensure any developing problems are taken care of right away, and your teeth are always in good health. However, even if you're very faithful to your annual schedule of exams, you may want to visit a dental clinic when you notice certain, specific problems; note a few of those here so you know to visit a dentist as soon as possible.

1. You notice cracks or holes in your teeth

If you notice any type of erosion in a tooth, even if it's very tiny, you don't want to put off having that examined. A small crack on the outside of the tooth can mean that the tooth is severely cracked inside, and it could easily break under pressure. Small holes can also easily get bigger and larger before too long, so that your dentist will need to do more work to fill it and repair it; this can even mean the need for a veneer or covering of the tooth, if the hole gets too large to repair. Even between appointments, examine your own teeth for such damage and have it addressed as soon as possible.

2. A cap is coming loose

If you've already had a tooth or any teeth capped and notice that the cap seems to be loose, you shouldn't put off having this replaced. A dental cap is usually in place to protect a tooth that is severely decayed or that has deep cavities, or which is very small and undersized. In any case, if the cap is not in place properly, the tooth can suffer damage from everyday wear. The cap can also pull on the tooth in areas where the glue is still intact, also causing damage.

3. You notice pus or discharge in your mouth

Never assume that pus or any discharge in your mouth will go away on its own, as this is usually the sign of an infection. You may have infected tonsils that need to be drained or removed, a throat infection, or an infected tooth. In all these cases, the infection can travel to other areas of your body and interfere with your overall health, or damage the roots of teeth so that they may actually come loose. Don't ignore this discharge but have it treated as quickly as possible by your dentist.