We know that the idea of going to the dentist probably doesn’t fill you with excitement. Routine cleanings may leave you feeling refreshed, but fillings, root canals, and extractions aren’t exactly most people’s idea of fun. However, going to the dentist regularly is one of the most important things you can do to stay healthy.
Oral health doesn’t just affect our teeth – poor oral hygiene can wreak havoc on your entire body, and it’s crucial that you catch and treat issues early before they spiral into bigger problems. Many people don’t know that poor oral hygiene has been linked to major serious issues, including heart disease. By seeing a dentist on a regular basis, you’ll have a professional by your side helping you maintain a healthy mouth and a beautiful smile.
Everyone will experience some kind of dental problem in their life, and knowing when to seek treatment is key. Keep an eye out for these symptoms and make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible after you begin to notice them.
- Tooth Sensitivity – If your teeth are highly sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks, it’s often a result of inflammation of the tooth pulp. If left untreated, your tooth sensitivity will only continue to get worse. Putting on a brave face and enduring the pain is not the way to go. If caught early, tooth sensitivity can be treated by a change in your oral hygiene routine or a simple filling, but waiting too long could necessitate more extensive dental work.
- Irritation, Swelling, or Inflammation – If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms for more than a day or two – or if they are already severe – it’s always a good idea to visit the dentist immediately. These symptoms could point to anything from gingivitis to oral cancer. There’s no need to panic before you know what’s behind it, but it’s important that you get the problem checked out by a professional. You don’t want to ignore it only to end up losing a tooth or needing a root canal that could have been avoided by early detection.
- Broken, Cracked, Loose, or Missing Teeth – These are pretty obvious red flags. Whether you cracked your tooth during a fall or your tooth has mysteriously started to loosen, you need to see a dentist as soon as possible to discover the root cause and, if necessary, talk to them about getting dental implants.
When dental issues are left undiagnosed and untreated, they can lead to more severe problems and more expensive procedures in the future. By maintaining good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly, you will be able to avoid preventable dental problems and detect unpreventable problems early.
Dr. Russo always puts his patients’ comfort and needs first. Being afraid to go to the dentist has stopped too many people from seeking treatment early on, and our goal is to make the entire experience as low stress as possible. You might even start to look forward to your dental visits! Or at least stop dreading them completely. Make an appointment and get on a path to better health – and a nicer smile – today!
