When to Visit a Dentist: What You Need to Know

When was the last time you visited your dentist?

Dental visits may not seem like a priority to some people. However, not many realize that it’s as important as your physical health. Your oral health can impact your quality of life over time.

Some consumers have put off dental visits during the pandemic. If you’ve been missing your routine checkups, it may be time to visit a dentist.

To know when’s the best time for a dentist visit, you must follow the guidelines here. That way, you’ll get dental care when you most need it. Read on and get better oral health:

1. Table of Contents

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   You Have Broken or Chipped Teeth

Cracking, breaking, or chipping your tooth is painful. It’s especially excruciating when you first experience this incident. That’s why this is the most obvious reason to visit your dentist.

In most cases, unresolved dental issues can lead to serious, life-threatening situations.

For example, if you bit too hard on candy, you’ll likely chip a tooth. It isn’t a huge deal on its own, except for the underlying cracks. This is likely even for minor chips, and these cracks will worsen as time passes.

If you let this situation worsen, you may lose a huge chunk of your tooth. It can happen while you’re chewing on something hard. As you go on without treatment, you’ll end up with more oral health concerns than you can deal with.

2. Cavities

Oral cavities and decay are the main motivators for visiting their dentist. After all, 31.6% of American adults between the ages of 20 and 44 have untreated dental caries. These dental problems only get worse the longer you leave it be.

You’ll exacerbate the situation when you consume food and beverages rich in sugar. Lessen, if not, eliminate these foods from your diet to prevent your teeth from further damage. This isn’t a good long-term solution, however.

To get a more definite dental treatment, go to the dentist. Get fillings for your cavities. As for your decaying teeth, you must have them removed before the issue worsens.

You might end up with a life-threatening experience if the rot reaches the root under your gums.

3. Oral Pain

Do your teeth feel pain when chewing? How about when you eat or drink hot and cold food? Oral pain is a clear sign to see your dentist about better oral care.

These can be symptoms that your oral health is deteriorating fast. To stop this and improve your dental condition, go to the dentist as soon as possible.

When you do, your dentist can help you identify this condition’s causes. That way, you’ll better understand the reason behind your oral discomfort. After that, your dentist will help fix the problem.

Take note; you might need multiple dental visits. This depends on the extensiveness of the pain. Regardless, you must commit to the treatment procedure.

4. You Haven’t Visited for a Long While

You’re likely to get teeth and oral health problems when you neglect your dental visits. In this busy and fast-paced world, some people have no time to care for their dental health. It’s especially when it comes to professional help.

Never let procrastination get in the way of your dental health. If you haven’t visited the dentist for a while, seize the initiative. Choose a dentist and schedule an appointment as soon as you’re free.

You must free your schedule once every few months for a dental checkup. Use this time to get the dentist to clean your teeth as well. If you do, you can save yourself from a lot of pain and financial trouble in the future.

5. Misaligned or Crooked Teeth

You must never ignore crooked or misaligned teeth. Sometimes, you feel like these are natural. This often leads you to have a misconception that nothing is wrong with them.

The truth is that crooked or misaligned teeth are causes for dental concern. If you don’t let a dentist correct these, you’ll experience a great deal of discomfort and pain. The worst part is that it can lead to dangerous infections and other dental maladies in the future.

If you have crooked and misaligned teeth, eating becomes a painful task. Even the simple task of cleaning your teeth becomes difficult. When this continues, you’ll end up becoming malnourished.

What to Expect When Visiting a Dentist

As an adult, you might feel discouraged to visit dentists because of the fear of the unknown. To dispel your worries, here are some things you must consider:

1. Routine Visits

During this session, dental hygienists will often cover your chest with a cloth. In some cases, you’ll get eye shields as well. They will use metal or ultrasonic tools to scrape plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth and gum line.

If your mouth hurts while this happens, let them know. You’re entitled to rest breaks whenever necessary. After this, you’ll rinse and get your teeth polished.

The hygienist will bring the dentist for a thorough exam. They will check each tooth for gaps between the teeth and gums. When they finish, they will talk to you and tell you the next steps.

You can learn more about dental bonding through the linked article. Use this if your dentist tells you that this procedure is necessary.

2. Non-routine Visits

This type of visit carries the same procedures as its routine counterpart. The difference is you’ll usually need dental X-rays. After all, the dentist wants to learn about your dental state before giving treatment.

Never feel bad if the dentist found lots of problems. Instead, focus on how they can help fix your dental issues and develop better oral habits.

Visit a Dentist Today!

If you haven’t seen your dentist in a while, it’s best to book an appointment and get your routine checkup. Oral pain or discomfort should not go ignored. Visit a dentist if any of the above situations apply to you.

Your dentist can help you identify problems and prevent them from getting worse. However, you can prevent these issues from happening with the right oral hygiene. Consider reading our other posts for more dental care tips and tricks.