With toothaches, you know it is time to get medical attention based on the:

• frequency;
• intensity; and
• constancy.

Dinging your incisors on a coffee cup might sting a bit, but that discomfort should go away quickly. If it doesn’t, you may have a cracked or chipped tooth, which should be treated by a dentist.

Ongoing tooth pain or sensitivity can be caused by cavities and cracks, or eroded tooth enamel. Pain around the mouth or jaw can also be a sign of something more serious, like heart attack or angina. If you’re having significant or ongoing mouth pain, it’s time to see a dentist.

Changing Gums

When you smile, you’re showing more than teeth. Give yourself a big grin the next time you’re standing in front of the mirror, and look at your gums.{relatedarticles}

Your gums should be pink, and should fill the space between your teeth. Everyone’s gums are different, so it’s important that you know what yours look like, and it’s important to take notice whenever they look different.

What you’re looking for is blood and recession. Sometimes we floss a little too hard and there may be a little bit of bleeding which is normal. It’s not normal to bleed every time you floss, and it’s not normal for gums to bleed for no reason.