Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA
Lots of Americans tend to avoid going to the dentist out of fear, finances or other personal reasons. The ironic factor is that people who neglect to go to the dentist for their twice-yearly checkups are more likely in need of dental care, yet still may skip out on visiting their dentist even when they have a toothache. Then, there are people who seem to get too busy to go to the dentist and wind up needing emergency dental care. As family dentists in Bloomsburg, Drs. David and Joel Hamilton can tell you there are three dental appointments you shouldn’t skip. You can save yourself time, money, and probably mouth pain by sticking to these appointments.
Most important dental appointments:
- Twice-yearly checkups and cleanings
- When a tooth becomes chipped or broken
- Any time you experience pain in your mouth
Let’s take a look at why each of these appointments should not be skipped.
- Routine checkups and cleanings
The American Dental Association recommends everyone visit their dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings. This isn’t a ploy to get your money, we assure you! These visits serve multiple purposes, and they all are to protect your oral health and your overall health.
Everyone gets plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth, no matter how good you brush and floss every day. That buildup can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Ignoring it can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Furthermore, these routine checkups allow the dentist an opportunity to identify any potential problems, addressing them now instead of waiting until you have a throbbing toothache or half of your tooth has broken off.
If you have dental insurance, most plans cover preventive care such as cleanings and checkups at little to no charge. Not using your dental insurance at least for these visits is actually just a waste of your money. On the other hand, if you don’t have dental insurance, it’s worth saving up the money to pay for your six-month visits. It ends up costing less in the long run, compared to more in-depth dental work.
- When a tooth becomes damaged
Many times when a tooth becomes damaged, it is hard to ignore it. A tiny, seemingly insignificant chip off your tooth can seem like a boulder that your tongue won’t leave alone. Only a dentist can assess the damage done to the tooth, and recommend necessary treatment. Ignoring a damaged tooth could subject it to even more damage such as decay, or infection.
If you experience a damaged tooth, get it checked by your Bloomsburg dentists right away. Avoid chewing on the affected side until you can have your tooth fixed or you could risk damaging it more or injuring your mouth, especially if it left a sharp edge.
- When you experience pain
A toothache is no fun at all. No matter your threshold of pain, there is nothing that compares to a toothache! Teeth shouldn’t hurt, and if they do, it could mean something has gone wrong, and the internal nerve has been affected, although tooth pain also can be a result of worn dental enamel, or from a gum injury such as something like a popcorn kernel getting lodged under the gum line. On the other hand, toothaches could also indicate active infection in your teeth as a result of gum disease. Gum disease will not go away on its own and has to be treated by a dental professional to control it. If you ignore gum disease, you increase your risk of comorbidities such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. It’s not something to mess around with either, as an infection from your tooth also could spread to your brain or heart if not treated properly and in a timely manner.
Dental Care in Bloomsburg
As you can see, there are three instances in which you should never skip your dental appointments. These appointments are to protect you and your health. If you would like to learn more about how to protect your oral health or to schedule an appointment, please contact Hamilton Dental Care by calling (570) 387-0533. We welcome patients from Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg.
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