Reasons You Need A Dentist Even If You Feel Healthy
Posted on: 8 June 2018
Do you feel like there is no need to see the dentist because you brush daily and you aren't suffering any noticeable tooth pain? Unfortunately, brushing regularly isn't enough to ensure a healthy mouth, and not all dental issues comes with pain. If it has been more than a year since your last dental visit, it is definitely time to schedule a checkup with a dentist near you. The following are some hidden dental issues you need to be aware of.
Periodontal disease
The early stages of periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis or gum disease, may not result in pain or discomfort. The pain often comes later, after gum loss has become more severe and is more difficult to reverse. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that gets below the gum line, most often due to plaque buildup. Brushing alone can't remove the plaque, since it is strongly adhered to the tooth surface and it may also be deep enough below the gum to be out of reach of the brush. Flossing can help, but it isn't sufficient.
The only way to ensure the plaque is removed is with a thorough dental cleaning. Your dentist can also inspect your gums to make sure no pockets are forming along the gumline that can lead to periodontal disease. If pockets are forming, then catching the issue early and beginning periodontal treatments can prevent gum loss, which means you will avoid infections, pain, and the eventual loss of your teeth.
Hidden decay
Most people assume a cavity is painful. This isn't always the case. A cavity only becomes painful once it reaches the nerve in the center of your tooth. At this point, it is often too late to save the tooth without a root canal or similar treatment. Part of the reason cavities aren't noticed is because they often appear on the hidden surfaces of your teeth, such as the space between teeth or just below the gum line. These are areas that are most often missed when you brush and floss your teeth.
A dentist has two tools that allow them to find these hidden cavities early before they lead to greater decay-caused problems. The first is a thorough exam. A dentist can simply see your teeth more clearly than you can, and they also are trained to find the "sticky" spots that indicate decay with their dental probes. The second tool is a dental xray, which reveals anything the exam misses. By seeing a dentist, such as one from a place like Milner Dentistry, at least once annually, you can ensure cavities are caught in the early stages before they lead to pain.
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