It happens instantly. You’re chewing away, and suddenly, tooth pain strikes. Ouch! The next few moments are a mix of worry, sadness and hope; hope that the tooth pain will go away on its own and it was only just a temporary flare-up. When should you visit the dentist?
Should you go at the first sign that something is wrong? Should you go after you wait it out a couple of days? One week? Two weeks? If you visit your dentist on an annual basis a couple of times a year as most dental plans offer, you’ll have a good idea of when you should go.
The dentist is your advisor
Visiting your dentist regularly helps you make decisions easier, and they set you up for success. Dentists examine your teeth and provide an action plan for what’s best for your oral health. If you’re in pain, dentists can diagnose the issue and tell you how to prevent it in the future. Dentists provide these services:
- Educates about dental hygiene
- Provides expert advice on products
- Examines X-Rays
- Fills cavities
- Removes plaque
- Analyzes growth of teeth and jawbones
You may know you’re prone to sensitivity. Your dentist can recommend what to watch out for, products to use and how to combat the sensitivity.
Routine cleanings are essential for pain-free teeth
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Most of it is good bacteria, but some is bad. This bad bacteria acts as the instigators in creating cavities. As food particles are left behind in the mouth, the bad bacteria forms a sticky substance known as plaque. This plaque eats away at your teeth and causes cavities. If left alone, the cavities turn into bigger issues such as a root canal.
As plaque grows, it becomes harder to wash it away with a toothbrush, floss or mouthwash. A dental professional is needed to achieve complete oral health. They will use their expertise to spot problem areas and scrape the plaque away thus ridding you of any potential issues down the road.
Spotting other health issues
Dentists not only treat teeth, gum and jaw issues, but they can also spot other overall health-related issues. They can diagnose early warning signs before they become issues. Research being published today is showing a connection between oral health and teeth health. Your dentists can diagnose:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Chron’s disease
- Anemia
- Stress
If you suffer from bad breath and bleeding gums, this could be a sign you have diabetes. A sore and painful jaw may be a sign of an oncoming heart attack. And an X-Ray may show bone loss connected to osteoporosis.
Fixing the issue
Dentists not only provide the action plan when you step out of the office, but they’ll also take care of that issue you have right away. Dentists know tooth pain isn’t fun. Their job is not only to fix the issue but to make you feel at ease too. The causes of tooth pain include:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Sensitivity
- Damaged
- Grinding
21st-century dentistry brings advanced tools to make the process of fixing your teeth painless and long-lasting. From Invisalign to laser dentistry to dental implants, new age dentistry is revolutionizing the way your teeth are taken care of.
Dental insurance boosts your oral health
Most dental plans include multiple preventive cleanings covered 100% each year to get you into the dentist to take care of your oral health. With the reasons listed above, the benefits of seeing the dentist go further than just going in for a cleaning.
With the Direct Benefits Marketplace, you can choose from multiple plan options to get the right plan that works for you. Shop dental plans and feel protected today!