Dental practitioners are pretty brave, we are not scared of monsters and zombies but the thing that makes us tremble is the progressive damage that happens when you neglect your teeth. You may be thinking to yourself, what’s the worse that can happen? The reality is oral issues can progress rapidly if not addressed. You may have to have them replaced with implants, dentures, or veneers. The good news is there are signs of early detection before reaching irreparable damage.
The Benefits of Good Oral Care
Your first line of defense against oral issues starts at home. A thorough oral routine includes brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using an oral rinse. Your everyday routine maximizes your mouth’s ability to fight plaque buildup, tooth decay, and bad breath. When you begin to neglect your mouth the issues impact more than your teeth, your confidence, mental health, and physical health can decline as a result.
The Consequences
Gum Disease
Gingivitis is preventable and treatable, it is caused by a buildup of plaque, a film that builds on tooth enamel made up of mucus, bacteria, and food debris. Symptoms include red, inflamed, bleeding gums, tooth pain or sensitivity, and bad breath that doesn’t seem to go away. If left untreated it will evolve into something even scarier, periodontitis.
Tooth Loss and Decay
Periodontitis is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. Neglecting your teeth can lead to irreparable damage to tooth enamel causing exposure of the root, excessive cavities, and tooth rot. If that doesn’t scare you then you probably have never experienced an exposed root. These issues should not go ignored, if left untreated they can become infected or abscessed. The toxins can poison your blood and result in death.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer can be treated with early detection and diagnosis. The only way this is possible is through regular annual dental screening. If left untreated, it is likely cancer will spread to other areas of the body. Symptoms include having an internal oral ulcer, swelling in the mouth, and red or white patches throughout the mouth.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or excessive pain, you may be dealing with a dental emergency and require immediate assistance contact us to schedule a same-day appointment.
Let Us Help You
It is never too late to make your oral health a priority and we are here to help you start your journey. Your first step is to schedule an appointment so we can determine the type of care and services you require. We are here for you and your family, we provide the Westminster region with a wide array of quality dental services for adults and children. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.