PREMIER DENTAL N EWS L E T T E R
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EDITION 14
The Consequences of Avoiding Dental Treatment AVOIDING THE DENTIST?
VISIT OUR OFFICE AT: 321 FARNSWORTH AVENUE, BORDENTOWN, NJ 08505 609-298-1124 OFFICE STAFF: PATIENT CO-ORDINATORS MICHELE JOHANNA DENTAL ASSISTANT CATHLEEN
We all have a tendency to procrastinate, especially when we think something is going to be unpleasant or don’t know what to expect. Most of the time, this is harmless, but when it comes to procrastinating dental work, you can face dire consequences in terms of pain, suffering, and costs. The positive side of this is when you do learn to avoid procrastinating your dental care, you will find these seemingly scary issues have relatively easy, pain-free solutions. I wanted to share with you the common conditions people avoid treatment for, and if this sounds familiar, call us right away! We’ll help you find relief. If you don’t see your pain or issues on this list, still give us a call. We can help you find a solution. The most common dental problempatients ignore is losing a filling or needing a cavity filled . The danger with procrastinating this is that once a cavity takes hold, it’s only a matter of time before the cavity spreads and enters the nerve chamber of the tooth. This is when you often feel pain, and by then, what was once a simple cavity has now graduated to a root canal and crown, which is more expensive and can be more painful. Other times, youmight delay getting a crown on the tooth after the root canal. After all, the pain and infection are gone, and you can chew normally again. Life is good! Well, except for the fact that the tooth is not strong enough to withstand normal chewing for long and ends up fracturing, often happening in a manner that cannot be saved. Instead of having a strong tooth to chewwith, the tooth has to be extracted. (Many people who need a crown on a large filling delay this treatment for the very same reasons!) Of course, you might also delay replacing a tooth with a bridge, implant, or denture after an extraction because you’re chewing fine. The gap may feel strange, but you might get used to it and think it’s not necessary to address. But your teeth are fickle! They can move, crack, and affect your ability to chew properly.
Some will avoid treatment for an infection, despite all the signs that they need help. There’s a strange taste in your mouth. You feel some swelling, an occasional headache or earache, and
throbbing and pain when you chew, but this may come and go. You may think you can nurse it through and that it can’t
be that bad. But that swelling, pain, and damage will continue to increase, and the infection could become life-threatening and immensely painful. And don’t forget about your gums! Those who need extra gum treatment may notice a funny taste and smell, bleeding gums, and sensitivity. Others may not feel anything at all and only hear lectures from their dentist. It may seem easy to put off, but the infection can slowly dissolve your jaw bone and loosen your teeth. The bacteria in the infected areas will travel through your bloodstream and affect other areas of your body, including your brain and other organs. Your gums play a more vital role in your health than you may realize! Finally, some will delay a nightguard when they have a grinding issue (bruxism). It may feel like no big deal. A little crack here, a little crack there —maybe your teeth are getting a little worn, but they still function. But you get headaches, your muscles are tight in the morning, and your jaw joint (TMJ) feels sore. Bruxism creeps up on you, and over time, it can do a lot of damage to your joints and your teeth.
HYGIENIST
CHARLENE PRACTICE MANAGER PETER
Don’t just live with pain and abnormalities. We would love to help you find relief and feel better about your smile. Give us a call today.
—Hema Gopal, DMD
DR. HEMA GOPAL: 20+ YEARS IN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
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