Scheduling semi-annual checkup appointments is a great way to ensure your dental health is in check, but sometimes symptoms arise that require more immediate attention. In this article, we’re going to talk about the common oral health signs that indicate it’s time for a checkup. 1. Visible Tartar Buildup Have you started to notice some unsightly whitish buildup around your gums that you can’t seem to get rid of? What you’re seeing is known as tartar. Forming when plaque is left on your teeth long enough to interact with the bacteria in your mouth and mineralize, tartar is most commonly found along the gumline at the base of the teeth. This usually occurs because of poor dental hygiene habits, or the lack of brushing around your gums due to sensitivity. Once formed, tartar is extremely difficult to get rid of at home, generally requiring a dentist to effectively and safely remove the buildup. Aside from making you self-conscious about smiling, tartar can also cause gingivitis. If left untreated for a long enough period of time, gingivitis eventually can develop into periodontal disease, a much more serious problem. 2. You Experience Toothache A toothaches can represent a number of different problems...
I decided to write this letter to help anyone that dreads going to the dentist as much as I did. For a quick background on me, I spent the better part of my life trying to avoid the dentist as much as humanly possible. Simply put, unless my teeth were practically falling out, you wouldn’t catch me dead in a waiting room. For me it all traces back to a few bad memories that were powerful enough to keep me away, despite my less than perfect smile. Fast forward to a few years ago and I can happily say that all of my opinions about the dentist have changed, ultimately inspiring me to share my story with those of you who may be going through something similar. If that sounds like you, I encourage you to read on to learn how Inland Family Dentistry changed the way I feel about going to the dentist and how they can do the same for you. My negative memories and associations about the dentist stemmed from a dentist appointment I went to in my youth. The dentist that my parents took me to see wasn’t friendly and had fingers like sausage links. He...