If your gums phlebotomise when you brush or floss , it ’s definitely time to call your dental practitioner .

When it add up to the basics ofdental hygiene , most multitude know to keep an eye on the key rules ― like brush twice a day ― but many quickly brush off the seemingly - little dental trouble that occur . And that can be dangerous .

“ What a lot of patients do n’t understand is your dental health is pertinent to your overall wellness , ” saidDr . Akeadra Bell , a clinical assistant prof at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and general dental practitioner at Triangle Family Dentistry in Rolesville , North Carolina .

Close-up of a person's hands holding a strand of dental floss with a small blood spot

“ As dental practitioner , we do n’t just care for teeth and we do n’t just look at tooth . Your oral enclosed space is the curtain raising to your entire trunk and everything is connected , ” Bell say . stand for that skipped dentist date or ignored tooth pain can leave to bigger issues down the road .

If you ’re wonder what kind of trouble should lead you to the dentist ’s death chair , here ’s what the experts say :

Bleeding when brushing or flossing.

The most large issue you should always address is any bleeding when brush or flossing , according toDr . W. Craig Noblett , a clinical associate prof and director of the division of endodontics at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry .

This can be an early indication of periodontal disease . In its beginning stages , the take can affect the gumwood tissue , but it can go on to make bone harm if left untreated , Noblett aver .

Notallbleeding is a sign of periodontic disease : “ you’re able to have place annoying of the gum tissue if you got something catch in the gum alongside the tooth , ” Noblett said . Zea mays everta Hull are a vulgar culprit of this kind of irritation .   But if you frequently notice bleeding while brush or floss , it ’s a good reading that you have an issue that should be addressed by your dentist .

Man smiling at his reflection, practicing self-care for a Goodful lifestyle piece

Any type of pain in the mouth.

Pain of any type is crucial to bring up with your tooth doctor , Bell read . It does n’t weigh if it ’s tooth or mucilage painful sensation , or whether it happens when you ’re chewing , brush or doing nothing at all .

“ pain in the neck can mean a cavity ,   it can mean a cavity so big that it ’s a ancestor duct , it can be a tooth that is infected , ” Bell offered as examples . It can also intend gum disease or tooth provocation from brushing too hard . “ Anytime you have that pain , you in spades want to be see , ” she said .

Sensitivity to temperature.

If your teeth are sore to temperature , particularly insensate temps , you should take note , Noblett said .

“ I reckon all of us are a footling snatch sensitive when you first get a bite ofice creamand you have a kind of a knifelike jolt , but then you get used to it … that ’s somewhat normal , ” Noblett say . But if you have painful sensation that lingers after you swallow , or an replication or throbbing , that is come to .

“ That ’s a skilful indication that the pulp tissue paper in one or more teeth is inflamed , and that come in either from decay … or it could also come from a crack in the tooth , ” he say .

Person with eyes closed touching side of face, appearing to have a toothache or jaw discomfort

Swelling, an abscess or new bumps.

“ A swelling or abscess needs prompt attending , ” Bell said .

New areas of tissue paper growth or bumps should be taken seriously , too . “ This can be in the cheeks , on the glossa , around the trading floor of the back talk … any case of singular natural event , ” Bell excuse .

Additionally , sore that wo n’t bring around are another violent flag , she order .

Woman receiving a facial treatment at a spa, looking relaxed

“ Areas of tissue development or bulge could be signs of unwritten cancer , and what I always go by , I ’d rather you amount see me for nothing than to not come see me for something , ” Bell said . It ’s better secure than no-good .

This should n’t make you panic ; most bumps or tissue growth are n’t oral cancer , she mention . It could also be a blockade salivary duct or just irritation . Either way , you ’ll want to get it treated .

Teeth grinding or clenching at night.

Grinding your teethor clenching them at Nox may not be as easy to trace as some of the other problems mentioned above , but Noblett said it ’s an important issue to keep track of . This use can lead to cracked teeth , and changes in the way your top and bottom teeth come together .

If you log Z’s next to a spouse , they may be able to distinguish you if you ’re grinding your teeth at night . Or , you’re able to look for signs like headaches or a alteration in the way your teeth fit together in the dawn , Noblett say .

Bottom line: If anything feels off with your oral health, don’t ignore it.

“ I tell my affected role not to ignore any problem , ” Bell said . “ And the real ground behind that is percept of problems and percept of pain … is different for every affected role . ” What may feel like sensitivity to cold for one person may palpate like pain for another .

Since every person perceives thing otherwise , it ’s important to describe any fresh uncomfortableness or concerns to your dentist so they can take a spirit at what ’s going on .   If you do discover that a plaguy tooth annoyance is of a sudden gone , your organic structure maybe just got used to the pain or the heart pass away , Bell added .

“ So always come see us because dental problem do not go aside on their own ― they only get worse , ” she said . This article originally appeared onHuffPost .

A dental mold of upper and lower teeth set against a pink backdrop