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If you’re lucky, your six month checkups and cleanings and diligent oral hygiene, will suffice in keeping you with a mouth full of healthy teeth and gingival tissues. Unfortunately, genetics, putting off dental visits, forgetting to brush and floss too often, and traumatic dental injuries can all lead to possible problems. Some of these dental issues are obvious, but other symptoms can seem unfamiliar. The Moreno Valley general dentists at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley will discuss dental red flags that should make you consider picking up the phone.

Pay Attention to Pain Signals

If you experiencing any tooth pain, your body is giving you an obvious sign that there are likely dental health issues. The beginnings of tooth decay and gum disease do not generally cause pain unless they go on without diagnosis and treatment, and progress to the point of involving the nerves. If you have tooth pain accompanied by a bump, or any kind of drainage, you could have an abscess. These serious infections can cause significant discomfort for patients. The bacteria responsible for the abscess will cause inflammation and potential tooth loss. If you experience sharp pain to the touch in an isolated area, call your dentist immediately. If caught early enough, an abscess is treatable with antibiotics and your tooth can be saved.

Jaw Pain? No Gain

Persistent aching or pain in your jaw area is definitely something to warrant contacting your dentist. You may have temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) which is a very nagging and frustrating condition. Discussing your daily habits and the frequency of jaw pain with your dentist will help narrow down the possibility of trouble with your TMJs. After a thorough examination of tooth wear on the chewing surfaces of your molars, we can determine if clenching and teeth grinding at night are the reason for the irritation. Whether you have TMD, bruxism (teeth grinding) or both, a customized mouthguard will keep your jaw in place and prevent further grinding.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Moreno Valley General Dentists

Addressing dental symptoms quickly is the key to preventing extensive treatment needs. At Dental Associates of Moreno Valley, we offer comprehensive dental care and multi-specialty dentistry. Contact our 92533 dental office by calling (951) 697-6800 to schedule an appointment today. We welcome patients from Moreno Valley and all neighboring communities in Southern California.