We’ve all done it. We have a seemingly minor medical concern or an annual exam coming up and groan. We don’t want to deal with it or its associated expense. We think it’s ‘no big deal,’ and we put it off. When it comes to dental care, that procrastination can come back to haunt you. Sky Dental’s full service, half price dental clinics make getting the care you need easy, and stopping in to see us can save you from big problems down the road.
Gum Disease
Seeing “pink in the sink” every time you brush is the often the first “symptom” of delayed dental care. Gum disease is one of the most common dental health concerns in the country. It affects people of all ages and walks of life, and routine visits to the dentist can help keep it at bay.
Gum disease is a direct result of poor oral hygiene. The bacteria in your mouth leave a film on your teeth called plaque. Regular brushing removes most of it, but there are some spots only a dentist can clean thoroughly. The gum line is the most common spot. As plaque builds up and hardens into tartar, the bacteria start to aggravate your gums. It starts as gingivitis, which causes redness and inflammation with some bleeding, but can progress into serious periodontal disease if left untreated.
Cavities
Cavities are caused by the same bacteria that cause gum disease. They build up in the crevices of your tooth’s bite surface and between teeth, and their byproducts slowly eat away at your tooth enamel. Diets high in sugary and acidic foods can accelerate the process. Pain is usually the first symptom you notice. By the time a cavity is that deep, you may require a root canal instead of a filling.
In addition to keeping cavity-causing plaque at bay, your dentist can see areas of your mouth you can’t using special tools and x-rays. He can catch a cavity before it eats its way to your tooth pulp, potentially saving you from root canal therapy or even losing the tooth. At a half price dental clinic, these annual cleanings and x-rays are easy to afford.
Abscesses
When unchecked mouth bacteria find their way into the gums or a tooth’s interior, they often form pockets of infection that are hard for the body to fight off. What starts as a little inflammation turns into an excruciating pocket of pus and infection called a dental abscess.
Pain from an abscess is one of the most common reasons people have to make an emergency dentist visit. Abscesses often require root canal therapy, and most would have been preventable with annual cleanings and exams.
Tooth Loss
The longer a cavity, gum disease or oral infection goes untreated, the more likely it is that you could lose the tooth. Cavities can rot the tooth root and even the tooth itself beyond repair. Gum disease and oral infections can loosen the teeth in their sockets. Eventually, they can fall out on their own.
Even if a significantly damaged tooth is still clinging to your gums, it may be necessary to pull it to stave off future infections and other concerns. Dental implants, bridges or dentures become necessary to preserve the structure and function of your mouth.
Heart Disease
No one expects irritated gums to cause a serious problem in another area of the body, but several studies have linked oral inflammation to serious and unexpected health issues. Heart disease and stroke are two of the most worrisome concerns.
Scientists believe that chronic inflammation from periodontal disease puts stress on the cardiovascular system. In addition to being a potential risk factor for heart disease, it may exacerbate existing conditions. Infection from the gums, which are rich in blood vessels, can travel anywhere in the body. In fact, studies show that people with gum disease tend to have more bacteria in their heart.
TMJ Pain
Your concerns don’t have to be as severe as tooth loss to be a drain on your daily life. TMJ dysfunction, or ongoing pain and spasms in your jaw joints, is a common but frequently ignored concern. TMJ dysfunction can lead to problems like daytime pain, headaches, difficulty opening your mouth and even shifting teeth.
TMJ pain is often the result of simple problems. Nighttime tooth grinding, also called bruxism, is a frequent culprit. Even issues with your bite can stress your jaw. Seeing an orthodontist at a half price dental clinic can get you affordable relief from chronic TMJ pain.
Visiting Our Half Price Dental Clinic
Sky Dental Alliance has three locations, extended hours and low-cost services to make dental care as easy as possible for your family. Don’t put off necessary care. Call Sky Dental and make an appointment with us today.