6 Reasons Why You Don't See Your Dentist
1. I Don't Have Dental Insurance
The expense of dental care is relative. Remember a smile is forever. It is cheaper to keep your smile healthy than it is to play catch up. If you see your dentist regularly for your exam, x-rays, and cleaning, you can help to avoid expensive dental treatment. Even if you have dental insurance, it is prevention focused. Expensive dental treatment may not be covered with dental insurance. So don't wait until you have a toothache or an infection to see your dentist.
2. My Teeth Are Fine
"I brush twice every day, and my teeth don't hurt." You may not feel anything right now, but if you wait until you do have pain, most likely your cavities and gum infection may have worsen to the point that you may need a root canal treatment and/or periodontal (gum) treatment. Early detection is key to minimum dental treatment. So don't wait until your teeth hurt.
3. My Teeth Hurt During And After The Cleaning
Some of us have more sensitive teeth than others. Most gum sensitivity is related to the degree of gingival (gum) inflammation or infection present. If it has been awhile since your last visit to the hygienist, you may have gingivitis (gum inflection) and may be the reason your gum is sensitive during and after the hygienist's cleaning. Regular professional cleanings will minimize teeth sensitivity. Of course, if there are other reasons that your teeth are sensitive, your dentist will be able determine that with a complete dental examination.
4. I Don't Want To Take Time Off From Work
Certain dental procedures can take several appointments to complete. I can understand that you rather take time off from work to go on vacation than seeing your dentist. But the best way to prevent taking time off from work for dental treatment is to see your dentist for regular exams so that dental problems can be detected early before they turn into big problems that may take many appointments and money to fix.
5. I Have Complete Dentures So I Don't Need To Go To The Dentist
If you wear dentures, you will still benefit from seeing your dentist for regular checkups. Your dentist will evaluate your dentures to make sure they are still fitting well, to make adjustments as needed, to reline to improve the retention of the dentures, and to check your soft tissues for any oral infection and cancer.
6. My Teeth Hurt For Weeks The Last Time I Had Treatment
When a tooth undergoes treatment, the nerve can become stressed and produce sensitivity that can last for days to weeks. The risk of tooth sensitivity is even greater if the decay in the tooth was deep and close to the nerve. While treatment was necessary, it may have shocked the nerve inside of the tooth, and it may need greater time to calm down. The majority of the time, your tooth may just need a bite adjustment to relieve the high spot.
So no more excuses. You now have six reasons to see your Tacoma dentist.
