It's important to make sure you visit the dentist regularly as part of your yearly routine - at least once every six months even if you don't have any symptoms - but sometimes it's necessary for you to make an appointment more often. There are a number of warning signs that tell you when you should consult your dentist, the most obvious being pain when you eat or an ache in your teeth or gums.

Bleeding gums are another sign that you should book an appointment as this can be a signal for problems such as gum disease and is something that should be looked into even if it isn't causing you any pain. As a general rule, a normal dentist appointment will be fine when you notice something you'd like checked out, however, there are such things as emergency appointments to help you with more pressing problems.

Obviously you only want to book an emergency appointment if you really need one, so what constitutes a dental emergency? If you are suffering from serious pain you should definitely make an emergency appointment. While you might not be able to tell what is wrong or see anything untoward in your mouth, serious pain can be a sign of a dental infection or another problem that is best treated as soon as possible.

Likewise, if you notice a swelling in your mouth, face or neck you should seek treatment as soon as possible - even if you are only suffering from moderate pain. Swelling can be a sign of an underlying infection too so it's best to get it checked out. Other symptoms include redness in or around the mouth, a fever or a general feeling of being unwell.

If you are involved in an accident that damages your mouth or teeth in any way it is best to seek the help of your dentist as soon as possible. This could be anything from the loss of a tooth to chipping or breakage. In these cases an emergency dentist can either fix the problem at the time or provide you with temporary measures that will protect your teeth until such a time when more complicated dentistry can be carried out.

It's important not to ignore signs of dental ill-health, as the sooner problems are treated the better it is for your well being and the easier the treatment will be. If you feel as though you need an emergency appointment but you aren't sure, call your dental practise and speak to the receptionist - they will be able to ask you some questions to help you determine whether your problem counts as an emergency.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.