The mouth, with all its components, is one of the most important parts of the body, as the opening of the digestive system and one of two beginnings to the respiratory tract, but most of the time, we take its overall health for granted, even obvious warning signs like toothaches and discoloration.
But overlooking some of these troubles can be cause for regret later on down the road. That is precisely why you need to learn to perform a quick self-assessment to recognize signs of concern. Let me help get you started.
Problems with the lips are usually immediately apparent, so watch for unnatural bulges and/or discoloration. The pores around the lips often go unnoticed, so sometimes redness or a lump may indicate a spot of acne, so consider using a specially formulated spot treatment and see if the blemish vanishes on its own.
A blister-like sore is most likely a case of herpes simplex--yes, that's right, I said herpes. Herpes simplex is better known as a cold sore or fever blister when it affects the mouth and is not necessarily an indication of a sexually transmitted infection. If you're really unsure, however, do visit with your doctor to get a professional evaluation of the spot in question.
The gums should curve smoothly along the top of each tooth, should appear symmetrical, and be consistently pink. You should be able to gently depress your gums with your finger without discomfort. Swelling, bleeding, discoloration, paleness, or dryness should all alert you to a potentially serious issue, so if you notice any one of these, or several in combination, make an appointment with your dentist right away.
Some bleeding after flossing can be expected if you don't floss regularly, so do get yourself into the habit of flossing at least twice a day and do so gently. Regulating that habit should stop mild bleeding.
Problems with your teeth should be obvious without extensive inspection. Pain and/or sensitivity are the most common signs of distress within the tooth, but keep your eyes peeled for the gum line receding from individual teeth, for cracks in the tooth, or discoloration present on any portion of the teeth (front, back, or top).
The tongue rarely presents obvious problems, but one common complaint stems from infected taste buds. Individual buds on the tongue can become aggravated, which can be painful when the affected bud strikes sharp edges of the tooth. These tiny infections are shed on their own, but if after a week, the problem persists, you may want to consult with your dentist.
Regular, thorough checkups will be your best bet to prevent issues like the ones described. If you find yourself concerns about abnormal symptoms, write them down to discuss with your dentist, just like you would for a doctor's appointment. You owe it to yourself to make your oral health a priority.
Author Resource:-
Kleinheinz Dentistry, (http://www.kleinheinzdentistry.com/) is a Charlotte Dentist practice Soft Touch dentistry by combining our previous experience along with our knowledge of dentistry to provide you and your entire family with high quality dental care, in a kind and gentle manner.
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