It’s no secret that most people dread going to the dentist, and most dentists realize this. However, there’s an important message that dental professionals want people to know, and that is that putting off dental procedures will only lead to more significant and costly problems. If you feel an ache when you eat sweets, or your tooth aches randomly throughout the day, it’s nothing to shrug off. Dental issues usually start way before you feel any pain. Decay or cavities begin very small and continue to grow until they touch a nerve or affect your gum line. Sadly, cavities aren’t the only problem to worry about. There are many issues that could be occurring within the mouth that you are completely unaware of because it would only be seen via x-ray from a regular bi-annual checkup. If you’ve been putting off a dentist appointment, you should give them a call as soon as you can in order to avoid some potentially serious issues.
Root Canal
A root canal can be a painless procedure but if you can avoid it, you should. This requires regular brushing and flossing, but also annual or bi-annual checkups with your dentist. A root canal is the removal of an infected nerve within the tooth, which is usually caused by prolonged decay that extends past a regular cavity. During a root canal procedure, the root of the tooth is removed, which leads to a hole that needs to be sealed with a sealant that stabilizes the tooth. This also requires a crown, which can be costly and is often not covered by insurance. The crown makes sure that the tooth can maintain its structure without breaking once it’s hollowed out and the nerve is removed.
While root canals are safe, they can be timely and costly, so your best bet is to avoid them all together since they are not exactly a favorable solution to preventable decay. There are plenty of things that can go wrong like tooth breakage or the spread of infection to other teeth. A root canal can preserve what is left of someone’s tooth after substantial damage, which makes it favorable among other options.
Dental Implants
If decay is severe enough, a root canal just won’t cut it because tooth loss occurs. This is why it’s important to see a dentist before the tooth can no longer be salvaged. However, if it comes to that point, there are implants that can be installed in place of a regular tooth, once the unsalvageable tooth is removed. Even if there isn’t significant decay on the tooth, teeth with decay below the gum line will need to be removed. There is no way for dentists to fix the issues that are happening inside of the tooth way deep into the bone in which the tooth resides. When an implant is installed, it’s placed within the jawbone and bond to the actual bone. With the help of a tool called a connector or abutment, the false tooth is placed on top of the support and are custom-made to fit and look like a natural tooth.
Rest assured, if you need an implant, this technology has been used for over 30 years, and they are some of the most durable devices that are available in support of teeth. Once they are installed, they will look and function just like natural teeth. However they can be costly. Once again, it’s advised to skip this altogether and adhere to a bi-annual schedule of dental checkups to make sure teeth are healthy and strong.
Gum Grafting
Teeth are only a part of the dental realm; gums play a big role too. That means that gums are at huge risk for damage if they’re not maintained properly. People who skip going to the dentist for a long time are often shocked by the fact that their gum recession has reached levels that require surgery, and it really doesn’t take much. People who are especially at risk of gum recession are those who have bite irregularities which causes wear and tear of normal biting and chewing to spread disproportionate pressure on the teeth and gums. These same people may also suffer from clenching or grinding of teeth while they sleep, causing further problems.
If caught early on, there are non-invasive techniques that can be deployed to lessen the effects of gum recession. In the case of bite abnormalities or misalignment, orthodontics can be applied or something as simple as a night guard may also work well as a preventative measure. However, none of these things can be brought to light without a dental check-up or regular visits with a dental professional. If you’re worried about your gums, make sure to consult with a dental professional.
Dentures
While modern-day dentists can work magic to restore broken or dead teeth, sometimes there are too many teeth that need to be removed or replaced, and dentures or bridges need to be implemented. It’s not uncommon for older people to use dentures, but young people who neglect their teeth are also eligible for dentures if decay is severe enough. With dentures or bridges, damaged teeth are removed, and a removable set of teeth are used as a retainer to allow mobility for chewing and talking. These dentures need to be cleaned at least once daily and may need the help of adhesives to stay in place. They are not the most ideal option for many people, especially those who are younger, which is why general oral health and regular checkups are encouraged. If you’re not looking to wear false teeth any time soon, make sure you’re up to date with your dental checkups.
The consequences of not taking care of your teeth can sometimes be surprising. Not all decay can be painful, and most people won’t sense the things that are going wrong inside their mouths. Within this deception lies great danger for oral health and overall bodily health. Our teeth are just one part of our entire bodies, and when they are not doing well, the rest of the body can suffer. Stop putting off your cleaning or check up and make an appointment today to make sure your teeth are in good shape.
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