Summer is a busy time for most American families. Some would argue that if you have children in school, so is the school year. Being busy makes it easy to neglect visiting the dentist. You may wonder if it’s really necessary and whether those dental check-ups are really that important.
Regular dental check-ups are extremely important, keep reading to find out why.
Fact #1: Tooth Pain Usually Means Something is Very Wrong
If you put off visiting the dentist until a tooth starts to hurt you are at the stage where there is usually something wrong with your tooth. Tooth pain is actually the primary reason why people visit a dentist.1 While tooth pain might be caused by something as simple a piece of food lodged between your teeth, other causes of tooth pain are not so minor.
If a cavity is causing your tooth pain, it has reached the stage where the decay is deep and the infection has reached the nerve space of the tooth.2 An abscess can occur if the infection spreads to the bone around the tooth. Antibiotics, and possibly a root canal, may be in your treatment plan in addition to a crown which may be needed because of the size of the cavity.
Another cause of tooth pain can be grinding and clenching of your teeth, especially while you sleep. Tooth grinding wears down the enamel on your teeth and makes them more susceptible to cavities. Tooth grinding on a continual basis also can result in worse damage to your teeth like fracturing, loosening and loss of teeth and in extreme cases can wear the teeth down to stumps, which would require bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, and even partial or complete dentures.3
Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and fit you with a custom night guard to help minimize tooth damage. Your dentist can also evaluate whether temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) may be causing your tooth pain.
Fact #2: Good Oral Care is Essential to Controlling Gingivitis and Preventing Periodontal Disease
Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease that causes irritation, redness and swelling / inflammation of the gum around the base of your teeth, with swollen or puffy gums, gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, tender gums, receding gums and dusky red or dark red gums as some signs of gingivitis.4 Gingivitis is commonly caused by poor oral hygiene, including not flossing and not brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time.
Poor dental hygiene allows bacteria to build up around the teeth. Bacteria hardens into yellow-white colored tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional.5 If not treated, tartar builds up and eventually destroys the gum tissue, which can lead to loss of teeth.
Fact #3: Dental Professionals Address a Host of Issues During Your Check-up
When your dentist examines your teeth, they look for tooth decay using a dental instrument called an explorer. As they tap on your teeth they are looking for decayed enamel which is softer than healthy enamel. They are also examining fillings, crowns, bridges and other dental restorations for signs of wear.
Dentists also check for signs of oral cancer and inflammation of your gums and will check your neck for swelling and tenderness which might signal an infection is present. The dentist will also examine any x-rays that were taken of your teeth. X-rays reveal areas of decay between teeth, decay beneath fillings, cysts and tumors, bone loss in the jaw due to periodontal disease and even show the presence of dental abscesses.6
Finding dental problems early can not only save you from added discomfort but in many cases finding those early issues can result in saving money. A small cavity can be filled. A large cavity may require a root canal and / or a crown. The general recommendation has been to see your dentist twice a year for a dental check-up but that is also something you should discuss with your dentist. They can advise, based on your oral health and your overall physical health, how often each individual should see a dentist. Working with your dentist can ensure that you are doing what is best for you and your family members.
Schedule a Dental Check-Up
Summer is on its way out, so make sure to schedule a dental check-up with Sedki Dentistry before fall hits and you can head into a new school year and holiday season with a healthy glow and smile. Visit our dental clinic in Commerce Twp for the quality care and compassion. Dr Sedki is trained and experienced in the latest dental treatments and techniques including cosmetic dentistry, children’s’ dentistry, gum rejuvenation and so much more.
So if you want a whiter, brighter smile with optimal oral health to help with your overall health, call and schedule a Free Consultation today!
____________________________________________________
1,2 Common Causes of Tooth Pain by Leah Groth, 6/15/2022
Link: https://www.forbes.com/health/body/common-causes-of-tooth-pain/
3 Dental Health and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism), 7/28/2021
Link: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism
4,5 Gingivitis
Link: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354453
6 The Importance of Dental X-Rays or Radiographs, 2/4/2022
Link: https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/x-rays/the-importance-of-dental-x-rays#