When it comes to the basics of dental hygiene , most people know to follow the key rules like brushing twice a day but many quickly discount the seemingly-small dental problems that occur. And that can be dangerous.

What a lot of patients dont understand is your dental health is pertinent to your overall health, said Dr. Akeadra Bell , a clinical assistant professor at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and general dentist at Triangle Family Dentistry in Rolesville, North Carolina.

As dentists, we dont just treat teeth and we dont just look at teeth. Your oral cavity is the opening to your entire body and everything is connected, Bell said. Meaning that skipped dentist appointment or ignored tooth pain can lead to bigger issues down the road.

If youre wondering what kind of problems should lead you to the dentists chair, heres what the experts say:

Bleeding when brushing or flossing.

The most prominent issue you should always address is any bleeding when brushing or flossing, according to Dr. W. Craig Noblett , a clinical associate professor 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 issue can affect the gum tissue, but it can go on to cause bone damage if left untreated, Noblett said.

Not all bleeding is a sign of periodontal disease: You can have localized irritation of the gum tissue if you got something caught in the gum alongside the tooth, Noblett said. Popcorn hulls are a common culprit of this kind of irritation. But if you frequently notice bleeding while brushing or flossing, its a good indication that you have an issue that should be addressed by your dentist.

Any type of pain in the mouth.

Pain of any type is important to bring up with your dentist, Bell said. It doesnt matter if its tooth or gum pain, or whether it happens when youre chewing, brushing or doing nothing at all.

Pain can mean a cavity, it can mean a cavity so large that its a root canal, it can be a tooth that is infected, Bell offered as examples. It can also signify gum disease or tooth irritation from brushing too hard. Anytime you have that pain, you definitely want to be seen, she said.