One of the main problems we encounter with patients dealing with oral health problems follows: They assume the issue is going to remain isolated and that it will not become any worse. Unfortunately, damage generally leads to more damage when it comes to problems with the health of your smile. As a result, we consistently encourage patients to address issues the moment they crop up, immediately visiting us for restorative care. Not sure what we mean about damage causing damage? Allow us to clarify with the help of a few examples.
Tooth Decay Leads To…
Decay is an issue that occurs when bacteria and acids eat through your enamel, which is the outer, protective layer of your tooth. As it continues into deeper tooth tissue layers, a cavity (or hole) forms. If you treat it right away with a filling, you’re in good shape. Unfortunately, if you avoid scheduling care, the decay may lead to infection and/or a broken tooth.
Infection Leads To…
Let’s say you come into our practice and discover that the issue affecting your oral health is an infection. You may think to yourself that since you cannot feel the infection (they often produce little to no discomfort), it must not need treatment. Unfortunately, it can quickly abscess, which can result in the spread of infection and even tooth loss.
Tooth Loss Leads To…
If you experience tooth loss, this can come from a variety of sources. Perhaps it was periodontal disease, an accident, or a decayed tooth. If you choose to avoid improving your oral health, tooth loss can result in negative side effects, including hygiene challenges and misalignment.
