It may start as a dull ache or pain in the side of your mouth, followed by a feeling of pressure that continues through the day. But it will go away, right? Wrong. In the case of pretty much all dental issues, ignoring the problem definitely won’t make it go away. In fact, it will end up hurting you and your mouth in the long run. Addressing dental problems as soon as you notice them won’t just keep your teeth and gums healthy, it will help your wallet stay full by preventing more serious, costly surgeries and procedures like root canals over time. Whether you’re interested in undergoing a cosmetic procedure like getting porcelain veneers, or if you find yourself looking up the nearest emergency dentist in Richmond to treat a pesky cavity, there’s no reason to wait when your teeth and mouth health are concerned. If you’re dealing with a problem and are feeling the urge to ignore it, don’t. See a dental surgeon or professional right away to avoid getting yourself into big trouble. Here are just a few reasons why putting it off will cost you way more in the long run.
The Problem Will Only Get Worse
We’ve all done it: Felt a pain in our mouth that could only signify a growing cavity or tooth problem, and ignored it for the foreseeable future, only to then wind up at the dentist’s office a few months later with a big problem staring us in the face. Even though it can be stressful to think about addressing a health or dental problem straight on, we all know there’s no real point in avoiding it. No problem has ever magically gone away through our refusal to deal with it, and when it comes to tooth and gum health, waiting around for too long will only exacerbate the problem. For instance, what starts as a small cavity or an easy-preventable tooth issue can easily turn into a root canal if left too long unattended. Thinking about getting wisdom teeth removed can be extremely stressful, especially when they’re first coming in. However, waiting until the last possible moment to have them take out can lead to unpleasant gum infections and swelling that can make daily life way more painful than it needs to be. It’s never good to self-diagnose, either. Even though it’s far easier than setting up a dentist appointment and getting your mouth check, nothing you read on the Internet is actually going to help you fix your problem.
It Will Also Get More Expensive
In addition to your tooth issue getting more painful with time, it’s also going to get more expensive. A routine cavity filling is a fairly simple procedure, but when you end up having to get eight cavities removed in one sitting, it not only makes the situation way more painful and stressful, it tacks on a fair amount to your bill. Whether you have dental insurance or not, keeping your health bills low is the best way not to get totally derailed and surprised by an emergency visit to the dentist. You don’t want to end up with a problem you genuinely can’t pay for, and you don’t want to wait until the last possible minute to deal with an issue that you know could end up becoming a much more serious, not to mention expensive, procedure if left unchecked. If you know you’re someone who avoids getting your teeth looked at when a problem arises, keep yourself accountable by scheduling mandatory dentist visits at least every six months. This will help you stay on top of problems and prevent cavities rather than waiting until the last minute to get them filled.
You Could Create Long-Term Damage
Your mouth is a delicate ecosystem. While you may imagine that teeth, being made of bone, are extremely strong, you wouldn’t be taking into account just how sensitive everything in your mouth area actually is. Your gums are extremely susceptible to pain and disease when your teeth go uncleaned for too long, and cavities that are left to decay for too long can end up really taking a toll on your mouth’s overall health. In short, if you can avoid a more invasive surgical procedure like a root canal, it’s in your best interest to do so, even if it means making yourself stick to that 6-month appointment mark. Preventing damage to your teeth and gums is always way better than trying to solve a problem that’s gotten way out of hand.
