10 signs your teeth aren’t as healthy as you think they are

If you have any of the following warning signs, consider making a trip to the dentist.
 Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
  • The signs of dental decay, gum disease, or cavities are not always obvious.
  • Bad breath and bleeding gums can both be signs of gum disease.

Everyone wants a healthy smile, but it’s not always easy to tell when your teeth are struggling. Dental decay, gum disease, and cavities can announce themselves in some pretty sneaky ways.

INSIDER consulted with dental experts to uncover the signs that your teeth aren’t as healthy as you think they are.

You have bad breath all the time


“Bad breath or ‘halitosis‘ can be a warning sign of gum disease. Improper brushing and flossing can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria on the teeth and gums causing inflammation and bleeding of the gums,” cosmetic and restorative dentist Kimberly Harper told INSIDER.


Your tongue looks white

A healthy tongue should be light pink.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images


“Many people forget to brush their tongue while brushing their teeth. A white coating develops from an accumulation of bacteria. This leads to bad breath and an overall unhealthy dentition,” orthodontist Bobbi Peterson told INSIDER.


Food is always getting stuck between your teeth


“If you’re flossing and brushing like normal but feel that there’s always food stuck between your teeth, this could be a sign of a hidden cavity between teeth that you can’t see from the surface,” dentist Teresa Li told INSIDER.


Your gums bleed when you brush or floss

Brushing your teeth shouldn’t cause your gums to bleed.
 Photofusion / GettyImages 


“Inflamed gums bleed upon a light touch, even with a toothbrush. Healthy gums do not bleed upon a light touch. If you see pink in the sink after brushing your teeth may not be as healthy as you think,” dentist Lee Gause told INSIDER.

Redness and swelling are also signs of gum disease or inflammation. Head to the dentist if your gums are painful or you notice bleeding without an obvious cause.

You have white patches on your teeth


“White spots could indicate early tooth decay with porosity and weakening of the enamel,” said Dr. Li.


You’ve noticed one tooth getting darker over time


“If a tooth is struck, often in an athletic trauma, the nerve inside the tooth cannot sustain the blow. This tooth can become necrotic and can darken over the years relative to its neighbor,” explained Dr. Gause.


You have lingering discomfort


“Sometimes you can have a ‘bruised tooth.’ For example, if you bite into a pebble in a salad unexpectedly, the tooth can become tender for a few days. Like any bruise in your body, this eventually heals,” dentist Jason Hui told INSIDER.

Dr. Hui said, however, that any tooth pain that does not go away after a week could be a sign of a serious issue, such as a cracked tooth, which might require restorative dentistry.

Your teeth are sensitive to hot or cold drinks

 Sean Gallup/Getty Images


“Often, the length of time the teeth hurt are an indication of how severe the problem may be. Do not be alarmed if it hurts just for a second because sometimes cold drinks tend to trigger a bit of sensitivity for just a brief second. You know you may be having a problem if the sensitivity to cold or hot lasts longer and longer,” Jeffrey Sulitzer, dentist and chief clinical officer at Smile Direct Club, told INSIDER.

Sensitivity to hot and cold might also indicate that you have an uneven bite that is causing some teeth to wear down faster than others. Talk to your dentist about any sensitivity you might be experiencing.

You notice you have a tense jaw when you wake up

If you frequently wake up with a sore jaw or a slight headache, jaw clenching or tooth grinding might be the culprit. Many people grind their teeth at night or clench their jaw during stressful moments.

“Tooth grinding or clenching can cause teeth to become sensitive to hot, cold, or even just pressure. Often patients are very aware that they have this problem because they catch themselves clenching or grinding during stressful situations,” said Dr. Sulitzer.

Sometimes grinding or clenching can translate into temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ. This condition can have lasting consequences for your jaw.

“Grinding of teeth can negatively impact the jaw joint, which is a similar type joint as the elbow or knee. It can click or pop out of socket if it gets unhealthy,” said Dr. Gause.

A night guard made by a dentist can greatly decrease the damage that occurs to teeth and jaw from nocturnal grinding.

Your teeth seem to be getting longer or bigger

“Your gums may be gradually receding due to gum disease, but as this is a progressive disease, you might not notice at first. As your tooth roots become more exposed, you not only get that ‘long in the tooth’ look but start to feel sensitivity and pain,” explained Dr. Li.

Teeth can sometimes appear to grow longer or wider and this is often a sign of gum disease or damage.

Another culprit is toothbrush abrasion. Heavy-handed use of a hard toothbrush can cause the gums to recede over time.

fuente : https://www.businessinsider.com/signs-your-teeth-arent-healthy-2019-2