When it comes to health issues of any kind, early detection and professional treatment are almost always better than kicking the proverbial can down the road. For cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, early detection can mean the difference between early death and a longer, healthier life, but even for oral problems like cavities and gum disease, it matters. Why should you keep going to your regular dental checkups and prioritize early detection? Check out these powerful reasons!
Reason #1: Oral Issues Can Be Hard to Spot on Your Own.
Even if you are a fairly observant person, you may miss indications of a cavity, gum disease, or other oral health problems. Especially for a layperson, the subtle signs of early decay or gum inflammation can pass under the radar; by the time you realize something is wrong, it likely hurts a lot and has reached more advanced stages. Wouldn’t you rather avoid unnecessary pain and treatment if you have the choice?
Reason #2: Oral Issues Don’t Go Away or Get Better Without Treatment.
Unlike seasonal allergies or a common cold, oral maladies don’t subside with time. In fact, they get worse as time goes on. Decay digs deeper into the tooth, and bacteria keeps growing. An issue that could have easily been resolved at first with a small filling can eventually result in extreme pain or needing to extract the tooth entirely! Instead of waiting for a magical cure that will never come, it’s best to find and eliminate the problem with your dentist as soon as you can.
Reason #3: The Sooner You Fix the Problem, the Lower the Cost Will Be.
Early detection limit not only the severity of the pain and treatment but also the cost. In other words, when you postpone treatment, the solution may require more intensive or complex treatment, which comes at a higher price. Although some patients purposefully choose not to visit the dentist, hoping it will save them money, the opposite is true. Keeping regular checkup appointments can help you avoid costly procedures in the future.
Reason #4: The Harm Caused by Dental Problems Can Be Permanent.
Although cuts can heal and seal up again, certain “wounds” in the mouth are irreversible. Once gum disease spreads to the jawbone and deteriorates the density of this tissue, it doesn’t grow back. Once your tooth has chipped or decayed, that portion of the tooth is gone for good. Of course, your dentist offers restorations and alternatives that look and feel similar to the real thing, but ultimately, minimizing the damage through early diagnosis and treatment allows you to keep more of your natural tooth structure.
Regardless of the reasons you want to give for avoiding regular dental checkups and cleanings, the truth is that this choice comes with negative consequences in almost every way. You suffer more pain physically and financially as a result, and it’s simply not worth sacrificing your smile!
About the Practice
As a multi-location dental practice, Williamsburg Dental has six offices in Lincoln, which means you’re sure to have one near your home, school, or workplace. Our dentists and office teams are kind, welcoming, and focus on preventive care first. We have extensive training in complex procedures; in fact, we try not to refer patients to other practices to meet everyone’s needs. If you would like to schedule your next dental appointment, just call your preferred location or visit us online here.