You know you’re supposed to see the dentist at least once or twice a year, but when was the last time you actually took a seat in the chair? We know your schedule is busy, but it’s important to keep on top of regular dental checkups throughout the year, especially if you’re experiencing problems with your teeth or gums that require a professional diagnosis.

There are lots of warning signs and symptoms that indicate it’s time to book yourself an appointment with the dentist, including pain, bad breath, broken teeth, and more. If you haven’t been to your dentist in a while or have recently started to experience issues with your mouth, here are six sure-fire signs that it’s time to see the dentist.

6 Ways To Know When It’s Time To See The Dentist

1. You’re Experiencing Pain Or Discomfort

There are plenty of things that can cause dental pain, and any time you’re experiencing discomfort in your mouth, you should take it as a sign that it’s time to see the dentist. A common type of pain is a toothache, which could indicate you have an infection that needs treatment or a cavity that requires filling. When you visit the dentist’s office, they will likely start with an examination and X-rays to determine the root cause of your pain and the best solution.

Another possible cause of tooth pain is erupting wisdom teeth, which is the likely culprit if you are in your late teens or early twenties and are experiencing pain at the back of your teeth. A dentist will be able to assess your situation and may recommend removal.

Another type of pain that people often experience in their mouths is sore gums, and this similarly requires diagnosis and treatment from a dentist. Sore gums are usually caused by gingivitis or periodontitis, which are characterized by inflammation, bleeding gums, and bad breath, among other things. When left untreated, gingivitis can give way to periodontitis, which can, in turn, cause tooth loss, damage to the jaw, and receding gums.

2. You’re Constantly Battling Bad Breath

Bad breath is a fact of life for everybody from time to time. But if you’re always reaching for breath fresheners and seem to have bad breath no matter how much you brush and rinse, then there might be something else going on that your dentist needs to check out. Several things can cause persistent halitosis (the technical term for bad breath), and these include:

• Tooth decay
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Dry mouth
• Liver or kidney disease
• Gum disease
• Diabetes

3. You Feel Reluctant To Smile

Do you cringe any time you hear the words “say cheese” because you’re afraid to let others see your smile? Many people struggle with dental problems that leave them not wanting to smile and show their teeth, including chipped or broken teeth, staining, missing teeth, crooked teeth, and more.

But nobody should feel reluctant to smile because of their teeth, and there are solutions your dentist can discuss with you, no matter what’s stopping you from smiling. Depending on the dental problems you’re experiencing, some of the possible solutions your dentist might recommend include crowns, dentures, implants, whitening, bridges, and veneers.

4. You’re Often Getting Food Stuck In Your Teeth

We’ve all been there: you eat a salad or corn on the cob, and before you know it, you’ve got bits of lettuce, corn, or pepper stuck in almost every tooth. While it’s common to get food stuck in your teeth from time to time after eating certain foods, there might be another problem if you’re constantly battling with this issue.

A trip to the dentist will help you get to the root of the problem, which could include cavities, spaces between your teeth, periodontal disease that’s causing gaps in your teeth, or even improper flossing. After diagnosing the problem, your dentist can discuss with you some potential solutions that will help stop food from getting stuck in your teeth after every meal and snack.

5. Your Teeth Are Feeling Crowded

Your teeth are naturally arranged in your mouth very carefully, and when all goes well, there’s just enough room to accommodate all of your teeth. But when your teeth are too big for your mouth it can cause crowding, and this can lead to displaced and crooked teeth that get pushed out of alignment. which also increases your chances of tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. If you feel your teeth are too crowded for your mouth, it’s essential to see your dentist before serious issues arise as a result.

Note: The opposite problem, having teeth that are too small for your mouth, can result in gaps between your teeth, and this similarly needs to be addressed by a dentist.

6. You’ve Got A Broken, Cracked, Or Chipped Tooth

Teeth are strong, durable, and resistant, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Teeth can get cracked, broken, or chipped if you eat ice cubes, bite down on something hard, hit your face against something, take a puck or baseball to the mouth, and more. Along with being aesthetically unpleasing, these types of dental injuries can also be extremely painful and leave your teeth vulnerable to decay, infections, sensitivity, and further damage. Your dentist can evaluate your injury and recommend a solution so you can get back to eating, drinking, and smiling normally.

It’s important for your oral and overall health to see the dentist regularly, but there are also extraordinary circumstances that sometimes require emergency or unplanned trips to the office. Signs that it’s time to see the dentist include tooth pain, halitosis, regularly getting food stuck in your teeth, and having a tooth crack or break.

However, even if you aren’t experiencing any of these issues, if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while for a regular checkup and cleaning, it’s in your best interest to have your teeth professionally examined as soon as possible. And if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or other dental problems, get relief today and book your appointment now.