When You Should See a Dentist

Many people choose to wait out dental issues because they fear what will happen if they bring them to the attention of our Mullins, SC, dentist. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not wise to ignore or downplay arising oral health problems.

Here are 5 instances where it’s recommended that you see Dr. Blevins.

You Should Seek Out Professional Care if You:

1. Find a Cavity (or One in the Making)

It’s not unusual for small cavities to fly under the radar and go undetected. Typically, it isn’t until the cavity grows larger that patients notice the tell-tale symptoms and need treatment.

Symptoms of a cavity can include:

• Tooth pain that occurs randomly
• Tooth sensitivity, especially with hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks
• Visible holes or pits in your teeth
• White, brown, or black stains on teeth
• Pain after biting down

As soon as you experience any of the above symptoms, call our Mullins dental office. We can examine your teeth and place a tooth-colored filling if necessary. In certain cases where the tooth decay covers a large area of the tooth itself, Dr. Blevins may recommend a dental crown instead.

2. Are Suffering From an Ongoing Toothache

You shouldn’t have a toothache for a prolonged period. Tooth pain that exists for a while can often indicate something is wrong and needs attention. Think of it like your mouth waving a red flag – it’s best to take notice before larger consequences arise.

There are ways you can soothe the discomfort at home before seeing Dr. Blevins. Try rinsing out your mouth with warm water and using floss to remove any trapped pieces of food. If that doesn’t do the trick, place a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling and take pain relievers as necessary while you wait to be seen.

3. Notice Gum Pain or Sensitivity

Gums that are red, inflamed, sensitive, or bleeding may point to some form of gum disease. Of course, other factors like vitamin deficiencies, tobacco use, and pregnancy can also cause swollen or irritated gums.

Regardless, the best course of action is to seek treatment from Dr. Blevins. For more advanced stages of gum disease, like periodontitis, we’ll need to perform the scaling and root planing procedure to remove plaque and tartar below the gumline.

4. Find That Your Teeth are Loose or Shifting

Unless you have braces or are wearing clear aligners, your teeth shouldn’t shift beyond their normal level of movement. They also shouldn’t feel actively loose. If either of these happen, it’s important to let Dr. Blevins know so we can take a closer look.

Upon examination and basic questioning, we may find that you grind your teeth, and that bruxism is also causing them to shift. Loose or shifting teeth can also be caused by gum disease.

Dr. Blevins can examine your gums and if gum disease is detected, we can recommend next steps to manage your condition.

5. Haven’t Had a Checkup or Cleaning in a While

Dr. Blevins recommends that patients visit our office for a routine teeth cleaning every 6 months. If we need you to see us sooner, we’ll be sure to let you know ahead of time so you’re aware. Regular checkups allow us to not only remove plaque but to check for any arising problems as well.

Make an Appointment with Dr. Blevins

Whenever you experience dental pain or notice something out of the ordinary regarding your smile, it’s best to see our dentist in Mullins, SC. We take pride in catering to the whole family with a wide variety of dental services. Call Blevins Dentistry at (843) 561-4039 today to request an appointment.