We don’t think about oral hygiene nearly as much as we should. Nonetheless, that changes quickly when we experience pain in our jaw or mouth. Some say that while intellectuals solve problems, true geniuses prevent them. Dental care is an area where that could be said to be true. It’s also one of the most common reasons why dentists place a high value on oral health and regular checkups. In this article, we answer the question, “why should I go to the dentist?”
The faster you address a problem, the greater your probability of success. There is no real alternative quite as good as your own natural and healthy teeth. That is why if you have any of the aforementioned problems, you should not wait to go to a dentist:
Headaches, earaches, and jaw pain
While it isn’t exactly clear if these problems can be fixed by a dentist, they often can. The reason is that infections in our jaw or mouth can be linked to these sorts of pain. If you are in need of a root canal, these are some of the common symptoms that people experience.
Another reason behind this pain could be that you are grinding your teeth. This is called bruxism – and it can be treated by your dentist.
If the pain gets too bad and unbearable, you may need to see an emergency dentist. Emergency dentists are usually able to see you quicker than the average dentist. In the event that the pain is not something the dentist can fix, you may need to see a medical doctor in order for them to run additional tests.
Tooth sensitivity that begins suddenly
If you start to experience tooth sensitivity all the sudden, that could be a reason for you to visit the dentist. Tooth sensitivity is very common, and most of us experience it in our lives. With that in mind, if it appears suddenly, it could be from a decaying tooth or another sort of infection in your gums or jaw.
Are you suddenly experiencing pain whenever you enjoy a hot or cold beverage? Tooth sensitivity is extremely common. In fact, nearly everyone has some form of tooth sensitivity in their life. Unfortunately, sometimes it is caused by tooth decay or another sort of infection in your teeth or gums.
The dentist will be able to examine your teeth/mouth and let you know if what you are feeling is something he needs to treat you for.
Certain health conditions and medical treatments
There are a few specific health issues that have the potential to affect your dental health in various ways. Some of them include pregnancy, diabetes, dry mouth, and certain medications.
Some of the medications that can affect your dental health include:
- Chemotherapy
- Antacids
- Opioids
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Blood pressure medication
There are many other illicit and legal drugs that can also contribute to tooth decay in one way or another as well.
Bad breath that won’t go away
Everyone gets bad breath sometimes. Be that as it may, you should go to the dentist if it never goes away. There are many causes of bad breath including plaque, tooth decay, infection, and inflammation of the gums.
These are serious dental problems if they are allowed to go on for a length of time. Seeking dental treatment can be the difference between fixing a minor issue or dealing with more severe and long lasting problems.
You haven’t see a dentist in at least 6 months
Lastly, if you haven’t seen a dentist in 6 months, that is a great answer to “why should I go to the dentist?” You can only do so much to care for your teeth at home, even if your oral hygiene is impeccable.
A full exam from your dentist every 6 months is important for your overall dental health. The exam may include x-rays, an oral cancer screening, and a teeth cleaning. These are crucial to preventive dental care because the dentist is trained to spot problems you will not be able to. Additionally, he has expensive equipment that assists him in that effort.
Here’s the good news. Preventive dental care is far less expensive than most other types of dental treatment. Also, most insurances cover the majority of preventive dental care, if not all of it.
Hopefully this answers the question, “why should I go to the dentist?” If you have additional questions, you should speak to your dentist.