Dental care is essential for your overall health. Luckily there are professionals, whether they're cosmetic, general, or an emergency dentist, who can help you with services. Sometimes you can't just wait till your regular biannual appointment, as you may be dealing with an issue in which you need to see a dentist immediately. Here are four signs you need to see a dentist.

1. Tooth Decay

Do you have one or more cavities in your teeth? If so, you're not alone. According to the CDC, as many as one in four adults between the ages of 20 and 64 also have cavities. If you don't deal with those cavities, they can eventually go from needing a simple filling to something more extensive, such as a root canal.

2. Pain

Are you currently experiencing major tooth pain? Is the pain so bad that it sometimes keeps you up at night and is beginning to cause your mouth to throb? The normal culprit for tooth pain is tooth decay which has gone down to the root. In that instance, you may need a root canal. If the tooth is so far gone, you may need to have it pulled.

3. Bleeding Gums

Watch out for bleeding and swollen gums. If this is randomly happening, you may be showing signs of gum disease. Unfortunately, we've seen many Americans dealing with various levels of gum disease. It usually happens due to a buildup of plaque that wasn't properly cleaned out. When plaque gets below the gum line or hardens into tartar, it can continue to cause problems. If left untreated, your gums may even begin to recede and your teeth may become loose.

4. Loose Teeth

Loose teeth can happen for several reasons. If you have ongoing gum disease, as gums recede, it can cause a tooth to loosen and possibly fall out. A loose tooth can also happen due to trauma, particularly if you were hit or fell. A common cause of loose or knocked-out teeth can be when children are playing sports and they don't wear a mouth guard. If you get to the emergency dentist in enough time, they may be able to reinstall the knocked-out tooth.

When it's time for an emergency dentist, don't hesitate, as teeth and gums are important. Whether your gums are bleeding or swelling, or your teeth are loose or extremely decayed, a dentist can help you. For an emergency, general, or cosmetic dentist you can trust, contact us at Cosmetic & Natural Dentistry today.