If you have been putting off going to the dentist for years you may shocked to discover you have developed chronic oral health conditions that need immediate treatment. Routine cleanings are necessary, but even people who brush and floss every day need to have their teeth examined.

You could end up with oral health problems because of heredity, or because of the different products you're using. Here are three important reasons to get to the dentist right away.

Gum Disease

Over 42 percent of adults in America are suffering from some form of gum disease, even if it's just mild or moderate. If you haven't had your gums cleaned by a dentist they may need attention, and you may even need to see a periodontal specialist for a deep tissue cleaning. If your gums are sensitive, discolored or they bleed when you floss, it's important to get to a dentist right away.

Oral Cancer

There are many habits in your life you may not know can lead to oral cancer, and if caught early patients have a higher rate of beating the cancer. If you have returning sores that you think are cold sores, or lesions that aren't going away, get your mouth checked out. If you have small wart like tissues inside the mouth you could have oral human papillomavirus, and you want to get it checked out right away.

TMJ

Do you have pain in the jaw, or do you wake up with sore teeth, headaches and sensitivity? The problem could be that you have temporal mandibular disorder in the jaw. TMJ is a problem for one third of adults, and it could be wearing the enamel on your teeth. It could also be causing damage to the jaw joints in your facial structure. The dentist can tell if you need to see a TMJ specialist for your problem.

A lot of people don't think they have time to see the dentist, but getting to the dentist regularly can prevent you from needing gum tissue replacement, root canal work, implants and more. There are many offices that do appointments in the evening to cater to those that can't take off time during the workweek business hours, which helps your busy schedule. Don't wait to go to the dentist until one of these three things starts giving you a ton of problems, and get your oral health examined. For more information, talk to a dentist like Skeels David K.