Lots of people when they feel some dental pain or discomfort look in their mouths to see if they can identify what's wrong. If they don't see a cavity or some cracked enamel, they often assume everything is okay. That can be a mistake.
You might wonder why you need to visit a dentist if you're not seeing anything wrong. Even if you don't see anything wrong, you should contact a dentist for the following four reasons.
Looking Beyond the Teeth
Teeth aren't the only sources of dental pain or discomfort. Problems occur in the gums, including serious issues like gum disease or even oral cancer. You also could experience trouble with your jaw, including issues with the joints or even the bone.
Patients also can suffer maxillofacial injuries. These are injuries that affect the point where the skull and mouth meet. In many cases, the pain feels like a dentistry issue even if the injury is elsewhere in the head. A dentist is often the first doctor to detect that something's wrong.
Dental Infections Run Deep
The living tissue inside a tooth isn't close to the surface. When a tooth is infected, the living tissue suffers from inflammation. Also, the infection can work its way from the inside out. Consequently, pain is often the first symptom that something might be wrong with a tooth.
On the upside, the pain warning gives you a good chance to contact a dentist and find out if anything's wrong. Early intervention is frequently the difference between a small filling and a full-on root canal. In the worst cases, it may be the difference between losing and keeping a tooth.
Visibility Isn't Great in Your Mouth
It is hard to see around every tooth in your mouth. The gaps between the teeth, for example, are all but invisible to you. There may be a cavity lurking where you can't see. A dentist has a better view just by looking with their eyes, and they also have diagnostic equipment like X-rays that allow them to look between and into the teeth.
Cleaning Uncovers Problems
The dentist's office usually includes a hygienist who cleans patients' teeth. A hygienist is an invaluable part of the practice. The hygienist sometimes uncovers problems by removing plaque from around the tooth. Also, they can get between the gums and teeth to find debris that could trigger tooth decay or gum soreness. Many treatable dentistry issues only are evident after a professional cleaning.
For more information, contact a dentist near you.
Share22 March 2023
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
