You’re supposed to see the dentist every six months, but life gets busy. Maybe you don’t have time or maybe the cost seems out of reach. However, avoiding the dentist can lead to some very expensive, uncomfortable dental conditions.
Infection
An infection in your mouth can happen for a number of reasons. Signs will be bad breath and bleeding gums. Trapped food may cause irritation, inflammation, and infection around the gum line.
This might lead to decay of the teeth around the trapped food or even gingivitis. Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, if left unchecked can lead to periodontitis which is when teeth become unstable in inflamed gums.
Cavity
Tooth decay or cavities due to trapped food or poor oral hygiene are some of the biggest issues that dentists see. Keeping up on care at home and seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent decay.
If there are signs of decay, like a bad smell or a rough, brown patch on a tooth, don’t put off going to the dentist. Cavities become worse the deeper they get so it is best to get it checked out ASAP.
Root Canal
Even worse than a big cavity, is when the decay goes past the point of no return and the tooth root pulp is exposed. This is the sensitive inner tissue of a tooth where the nerve lives. Unfortunately, when a tooth decays to the point that this is exposed, the root will need to be removed.
A root canal is when a dentist removes the infected, inflamed root from a decayed tooth and replaces it with artificial packing to preserve the structure of the remaining tooth. The tooth is then shaved down and covered with a composite or porcelain crown to protect the remainder.
It can be uncomfortable and is often only partially covered by dental insurance. Waiting too long to see a dentist when there are signs of decay can get expensive.
Tooth Replacement
It’s not a joke that if you have a tooth knocked out, you need to get to a dentist ASAP and do something to preserve the tooth by keeping it moist. You have about thirty minutes to get to an office if you want to keep your tooth.
Delaying seeing a dentist after having a tooth knocked out may mean needing a dental implant. This is an expensive, uncomfortable minor surgery that involves having a screw placed into your jaw and a fake tooth mounted on it.
Save yourself the trouble. Treat a knocked-out tooth like the emergency it is and rush to your dentist.
Dr. Hersh at Advanced Prosthodontics is looking forward to seeing you - don’t put off making an appointment any longer and call (610) 865-4222.