It is important to take good care of your teeth for your overall health. You should be getting dental cleanings twice a year, and get your teeth checked by a dentist during your appointment to ensure you don't have any cavities forming. If you haven't been to a dentist in some time, it's a good idea to schedule a routine dental exam. When you chip a tooth, this should be repaired to avoid further damage to your tooth. If you have tooth pain, this needs to be assessed to determine what is going on with your tooth. If you sustain an injury to your mouth, and teeth become loose, it's time to see your dentist.

When You Haven't Been to the Dentist

If you haven't had a dental cleaning in some time, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a cleaning. This is a good time for the dental hygienist and dentist to check your gums, mouth, and teeth to look for any signs of disease or decay.

If a Tooth is Sensitive to Hot or Cold

You can have tooth sensitivity for a number of reasons. If you recently had a cavity filled, the sensitivity can be caused by the recent dental work. You may have a crack in your tooth that needs to be repaired right away. If the sensitivity doesn't stop, it's important to schedule a dental appointment.

When You Have Tooth Pain

Tooth pain can come on slowly, or occur because of an infection or injury to your tooth. If the pain is not controlled by over-the-counter pain medication, you will need to have your tooth checked to resolve the issue. You might have a cavity or need to have a root canal done because you have an infection within your tooth.

If You Find Sores in Your Gum

You might discover that you have a sore in your gum, below where you might have a tooth causing pain. This is usually an abscess and something that needs to be taken care of by your dentist. You may get antibiotics to clear up the infection and your tooth repaired if it is cracked or has a cavity.

Don't ignore problems with your teeth, as they generally become worse over time. If you haven't had your teeth cleaned, schedule with a dentist to get the work done. Report any pain or sensitivity to your dentist, and get your teeth repaired as needed.

Contact a dentist near you for more info.