10 Reasons to Visit a Dentist Between Regular Checkups

Even if you're diligent about scheduling regular dental checkups, there are times when a trip to the dentist between exams isn't just a good idea — it's a necessity. Here are 10 reasons to see your dentist sooner rather than later, including some that just might surprise you.

1. You Feel Pain or Swelling in Your Mouth

Tooth pain, sensitivity and/or gum swelling can indicate anything from minor irritation from overzealous brushing to more serious dental issues, such as a cavity, fractured tooth or infection. Temporary mild discomfort may improve on its own, but anything more than that may require professional treatment.¹

Make an appointment to see a dentist if you have:¹

• A toothache that lasts more than two days
• Severe tooth pain
• Gum swelling

Make an emergency dental appointment or head to the nearest ER if you have:¹

• Severe tooth pain that doesn't improve with medication
• Swelling below your eye or in your jaw
• A fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit (or 38.33 degrees Celsius)

2. You Have Tender, Swollen or Bleeding Gums

If your gums bleed, hurt or look puffy and swollen, there are a few possible causes, with plaque buildup along the gum line being the most likely. Left untreated, plaque could cause gum disease, aka gingivitis, and eventually lead to tooth loss and advanced gum and jaw bone disease called periodontitis.²

These symptoms can also be caused by ill-fitting dentures or dental appliances, an underlying health condition or vitamin deficiency.²

3. You're Pregnant or Considering Getting Pregnant

They may seem unrelated, but oral health is actually an important part of prenatal care. Hormone fluctuations in pregnancy increase the risk of gingivitis and cavities, and up to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis. If gingivitis goes untreated, it can progress to periodontitis, which has been linked to poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight.³

4. You Have a Chronic Medical Condition

Chronic diseases and their side effects are directly linked to oral health issues and vice versa, and both share some of the same risk factors. Also, certain treatments for chronic diseases can affect oral health.⁴

Some of the chronic conditions linked to oral health problems include:⁴

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Respiratory conditions
• Cancer

Taking care of your oral health with regular dental checkups and seeing the dentist between checkups for any issues that arise is especially important if you're living with a chronic illness.

5. Your Jaw Is Painful, Stiff or Locks

Pain, stiffness and locking are all symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).⁵ Some people call these issues TMJ or TMJ disorder (TMJD) because they affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), your jaw joint. But they can involve the surrounding muscles, too.⁵

TMDs may be caused by injury to the jaw, stress or genetics. A dentist can help diagnose and treat TMDs.⁵

See a dentist if you have any of these symptoms:⁵

• You have pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles.
• TMJ pain radiates to your face or neck.
• Your jaw feels stiff, has limited movement or locks.
• Your teeth don't feel like they're lining up properly.
• You have painful popping, clicking or grating in the TMJ when opening or closing your mouth.

6. You Notice Spots or Other Changes in Your Mouth

Infection, irritation, benign tumors, tumor-like changes or oral cancers can all cause changes to the appearance or texture of your lips, the lining inside your mouth or your gums or tongue.⁶ See your dentist right away if you notice any:⁷

• Sores on your lip or in your mouth that don't heal
• Lumps or thickening in your lips, cheek or mouth
• Red or white patch on your gums, tonsil, tongue or the lining of your mouth
• Sore throat or feeling of something in your throat that doesn't go away
• Trouble chewing or swallowing

7. You Snore Loudly

Everyone snores, but if your snoring is loud or jarring then you may have sleep apnea, a condition that causes pauses in your breathing while you sleep. Along with loud snoring, it can make you gasp for air in your sleep and cause you to wake up with a headache and feeling tired and irritable.⁸

A dentist may be able to treat your snoring and/or sleep apnea with a dental appliance that positions your jaw for better airflow while you sleep.⁸

8. You Have Persistent Bad Breath

Bad breath (halitosis) is something everyone deals with at one point or another, but if you have bad breath even after brushing, then an underlying dental or health issue may be to blame. A dentist can find out what's causing your bad breath and help you treat it.⁹

While certain foods and drinks can make your breath smell not so great, persistent bad breath may be caused by:⁹

• Bacteria and rotting food between the teeth from poor oral health habits
• Not cleaning dentures properly
• Periodontal disease
• Dry mouth
• Respiratory infections
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney conditions

9. You Experience Dry Mouth

Dry mouth often goes hand in hand with halitosis. Medically known as xerostomia, dry mouth happens when there's a major decrease in saliva production. Not producing enough saliva means your mouth can't cleanse itself properly, leaving behind food particles and debris.⁹

Certain medications, mouth breathing due to sinus and respiratory issues and problems with the salivary glands can cause dry mouth.⁹

10. You're Not Happy With Your Smile

Did you know that smiling can actually improve your health? It's true! Research shows that smiling can boost happiness and can increase a person's life span by seven years.¹⁰

Cosmetic dentistry procedures can improve your smile and boost your confidence by correcting issues such as:¹¹

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps and uneven teeth
• Stained and discolored teeth
• Cracked or damaged teeth
• Receding gums

Tips to Help Make Going to the Dentist Easier

Let's face it: Going to the dentist isn't most people's idea of a good time. The thing is, not going to the dentist can impact your oral health and overall health. This can lead to gum disease and tooth loss, and possibly missing signs of oral cancer.

Use these tips to make going to the dentist easier, and dare we say, maybe even enjoyable:

• Choose a good dentist. One way to find a good dentist is to ask for recommendations from friends and family who are happy with theirs. You should also consider a dentist's hours and location so it's convenient and works with your schedule. Use our handy provider locator to find a dentist in your area.

• Talk to your dentist about your fears and anxiety. Dental anxiety is real and quite common, and dentists have tools available that can help make you more comfortable, such as music and devices for distraction, laughing gas and sedation dentistry.

• Stay on top of your oral health at home. Practicing good oral hygiene habits can help limit your time in the dentist chair between checkups. To do this, keep up with regular exams and cleanings, brush your teeth two to three times a day and floss at least once a day.¹

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn't cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Author Bio

Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.