Why You Need To Schedule A Dental Check-Up Today

As high as $5.8 billion a year: This is how much the United Kingdom spends on dental treatments alone. And most of it goes to treating preventable ailments and diseases.

And you may be well on your way to contributing to this yearly expenditure. Especially if you haven’t gone for a dental check-up for some time now.

It’s true, and studies back it up: Regularly visiting an oral health care provider for a check-up can make all the difference in your mouth’s health. How often you do can either mean keeping all your adult teeth or suffering from the consequences of tooth loss.

There’s more to visiting a dentist now – and regularly after – than just having a more beautiful smile. In fact, this is good enough an incentive. But there are plenty other reasons why, and I’ve listed all them for your reference.

Removal of Gum-Disease-Causing Plaque

Have you noticed that uncomfortable, disgusting feeling when you run your tongue over your teeth? Plaque – that film covering your teeth – causes this unpleasant sensation. You can’t see it, but it’s there. It constantly wreaks havoc to your mouth.

Because plaque naturally and constantly occurs in the mouth, just one missed brushing and flossing activity can already lead to its accumulation. This can then harden over time. And the more of these bacteria you fail to remove, the thicker the build-up, and the harder it is to remove.

Hardened plaque – known as tartar – can then irritate the gums. It may only be a simple irritation now, but it can still cause gum disease. Healthcare experts even associate it with more serious ailments, like heart disease and diabetes.

Long story short, these bacteria are some of the body’s worst enemies. This said, you don’t want to give them the opportunity to stay in your mouth any longer than they should. By going for a dental check-up now, you have a better chance of eliminating them early and completely.

Preventing Decay, the Leading Cause of Tooth Loss

Did you know that nearly three-quarters of the adult UK population have had at least one medically-extracted tooth? And though there are many possible reasons, tooth decay remains the primary cause.

But how exactly does tooth decay, or dental cavities, occur? This is yet another effect of plaque. The bacteria you allow to stay in your mouth produce acid that can eat away at the teeth.

And yes, it can penetrate even the tooth’s enamel. That says a lot, what with this mineral being the hardest substance in the body.

Leaving dental decay untreated also sets you up for infection and pain. What makes it even more dangerous though is that you may not immediately notice its signs. Pain comes after the bacteria has already eaten away a part of the enamel or the dentin.

Remember, enamel loss is irretrievable. You don’t want to wait for this to happen, so go for a dental check-up as soon as possible.

Lower Risks of Gum Disease

Gum disease is also a leading cause of tooth loss. Like tooth decay, plaque is often the reason people develop these ailments. So, the longer you put off a dental check-up, the higher your risks of suffering from it too.

Take note that gum disease in its early stage typically doesn’t cause pain. But just because you can’t feel it doesn’t mean you don’t have it. By the time you do experience unpleasant sensations, you may already have advanced gum disease.

And the more it progresses, the harder it is to treat. You may even lose your tooth- and ligament-supporting bone. Without a bone to support your teeth, they will loosen, leading to their ultimate loss.

There are a few signs telling you of a possible gum disease. Make sure you go to a dentist as soon as you notice the following:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Soreness or tenderness
• Bleeding gums, usually after brushing and flossing
• Gum infections
• Pockets or spaces between your teeth and gums
• Gum recession (gums that seem to move away from the teeth)
• Loose teeth and
• Bad breath

Again, gum disease is one oral health problem that can’t wait for treatment. Failure to address it immediately can lead to more serious and expensive teeth and gum issues.

Saving a Tooth from Possible Extraction

Untreated dental cavities can cause so much trouble than just pain. They can result in a condition known as tooth abscess. Whether you have a periapical abscess or a periodontal abscess, it’s something worth visiting the dentist for.

Why? Simply because when you have an abscessed tooth, you are at risk of losing that affected tooth. But the pain that comes with it should be enough reason.

A dental check-up today may all be what you need to prevent this loss. The earlier the dentist diagnoses this, the sooner you can get treatment that can save your tooth from extraction. Set up a dental appointment as soon as you notice any of these symptoms:

• Severe toothache that persists
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold food and beverages
• Discomfort or pain when chewing or biting
• Fever
• Swelling of the cheek or face
• Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck or under the jaw

The first thing the dentist will do is to drain the abscess, which gets rid of the infection. Then, the dentist will assess the affected tooth for a possible root canal. The earlier you go for treatment, the higher your chance of being able to save your tooth.

Conversely, if you waited too long to seek treatment, the dentist may already have to pull the affected tooth.

Tooth abscess is potentially life-threatening, so never underestimate it.

Dental Check-Up: Key to a More Beautiful Smile and a Healthier You

Regular dental check-ups are necessary health investments. They help keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. And the healthier and stronger they are, the fewer risks you have of developing serious oral problems.

Whatever dental requirements you have, we can help. Feel free to call us now for a consultation and be on your way to having a healthier, more dazzling smile.