
Visiting the dentist is an essential component of looking after your overall health, as it helps you to maintain a happy and healthy smile. Many people put off visiting the dentist thinking it’s expensive, however if you don’t, then issues can build over time, become serious and require much more invasive and expensive treatments in the future. So, we’re here to help you identify the different signs that you need to visit your dentist in Wakefield or Wolverhampton!
You Haven’t Been In 6 Months
The first sign that you need to visit the dentist is if you haven’t in the last 6 months. Visiting every 6 months is the ideal amount of time, as if an issue does arise, then it can be caught by your dentist in good time before it becomes a more advanced problem. This is especially the case if the issue is symptomless, as if you didn’t go every 6 months, you might never know that there is a problem until it’s quite severe. So, if you’ve not visited your dentist in 6 months, then it’s definitely time to book an appointment. You should be seeing your hygienist as well as a dentist, so get them booked in together.
You’re Experiencing Pain, Discomfort or Bleeding
Even if you’ve been to the dentist in the last 6 months, if you’re experiencing pain, discomfort, bleeding or generally any changes in your oral health, then it’s really important that you go to your dentist. Whilst experiencing the symptoms above are common, that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Booking a visit to your dentist is really important, as if there’s an issue, they can identify and treat it quickly, hopefully without the need for significant dental work. If it’s left until your next appointment, the issue could become more severe.
You’re Having Issues With Cosmetic Treatments
If you’ve previously had cosmetic treatments, and you’re experiencing any issues, make sure to go to your dentist who did the treatment. This is particularly focused on things like veneers, dental implants and composite bonding, where things can sometimes become loose or something isn’t looking quite right. Your dentist can fix the issue without you needing to go without a full smile. If you’ve had ongoing issues it could be that the treatment just isn’t a good fit for your lifestyle, so something else might be recommended such as having Invisalign in Wakefield with whitening, as opposed to having composite bonding which can chip over time, especially if not properly cared for.
You’re Pregnant
Another sign that you need to visit the dentist is if you’ve found out you’re pregnant. Hormones during pregnancy can increase your risk of periodontal disease and tender gums, known as pregnancy gingivitis, so ensuring your teeth, mouth and gums is healthy is so important. In the UK, you’re entitled to free NHS dental care (check-ups and treatments) during your pregnancy and also for 12 months after, so it’s really important that you keep up to date with your appointments. Simply ask your midwife or GP to apply for the Maternity Exemption Certificate for you and then you can start the process of accessing your dental care.