Five Signs You May Need a Dental Checkup (Even If Nothing Hurts)

Did you know that October is National Dental Hygiene Month? It’s as good a time as any to think about your dental health, a subject that you should be cognizant about all year round. While you can do a lot of great things at home to help maintain good oral health, regular visits to see your Kansas City family dentist are also essential.

Let’s face it. Many people put off seeing the dentist and only visit our offices when they’re experiencing tooth or gum pain or other obvious problems. We recommend that you make it in for regular checkups at least twice a year, even if you’re not experiencing any kind of dental discomfort. These visits help keep your teeth and gums in their best health and help to catch minor problems before they become major ones.

At Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, we’ve been serving families throughout the metro area for years, and we offer convenient appointments to help you stay on track with preventive care. Not sure if you need an appointment? We’ve tackled a few of the most common warning signs that you might need a checkup, even if nothing hurts.

1. Persistent Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Your regular checkups are a great time to talk with your dentist about oral health concerns that may not feel urgent enough to warrant scheduling an earlier appointment. One of these is persistent bad breath, which might be a warning sign of gum disease or tooth decay. If you’re experiencing chronic bad breath (also known as halitosis), talk to your dentist at your next checkup!

2. Bleeding or Swollen Gums

Even if they aren’t causing you pain, bleeding gums are a sign that something is wrong. If your gums bleed when you brush or floss, it may be an early sign of gingivitis or gum disease and can eventually lead to tooth loss or other serious problems if not addressed.

3. Jaw Pain, Clicking, or Headaches

Headaches and pain or clicking in your jaw when you speak, chew, or swallow may be indications that you’re grinding or clenching your teeth, especially when you sleep, or that your bite is misaligned. Any of these can lead to increased pain and other problems down the road. Fortunately, they can also be addressed with intervention from your Kansas City family dentist.

4. Persistent Dry Mouth

You may not know it, but dry mouth can be a more serious issue than just a cause of mild discomfort. Saliva is one of the first lines of defense for your teeth, and low amounts of saliva production can lead to tooth decay. Persistent dry mouth may be caused by side effects from medications or other problems that your dentist can help you identify and address.

5. It’s Been More Than Six Months Since Your Last Visit

The biggest and most important reason to get in to see your Kansas City family dentist for a regular checkup is simply that you haven’t had one in a while. Seeing your family dentist at least twice a year is as important to your dental health as brushing and flossing daily. Fortunately, Blacker Family Dental makes it easy for busy Kansas City families to schedule appointments that fit into their routines.

If any of these warning signs apply to you, it’s time to schedule your next checkup at Blacker Family Dental, where we’re happy to handle all of your dental needs, including cosmetic dentistry and Invisalign treatments for patients of all ages. Call (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment today.