When is the Right Time to Visit the Dentist?
As important as going to the dentist is, most of us may not find it to be a very pleasant experience. Even if the overall experience is flawless, your dentist is experienced, and the treatment is virtually painless, most of us do not willingly go to the dental clinic unless we have a dental problem and an appointment is unavoidable.
It is a fact that tooth decay often takes a long time. For example, if you have a small cavity that can be treated with a filling, it can take months or years for that cavity to turn into a completely decayed tooth that requires root canal treatment. However, it is also a fact that most patients only go to the dentist when they are in pain. And by then it is usually too late to avoid root canal treatment.
So the conclusion of all this is that the earlier you go to the dentist, the less treatment you will have to undergo, which means that your dental treatment costs will be lower.
So when is the right time to visit the dentist? Let’s find out…
Visit the Dentist Every Six Months
The most accepted recommendation is that you should visit your dentist for a routine check-up every six months. The best time to visit your dentist is usually when you feel that your teeth are free of symptoms or problems.
Early dental problems such as minor cavities, mild plaque and tartar build-up, or early gum disease often do not show many symptoms and therefore the patient may not know they are present. Only a dentist can diagnose these problems with a thorough oral examination and panoramic X-rays.
If these dental problems are detected early, the treatment itself is easier, cheaper, and quicker. Therefore, the best time to visit your dentist is every six months so that they can diagnose them early and start treatment.
When You Have Minor Dental Problems
While it is ideal to visit your dentist every six months, not many people can do it regularly. As we said at the beginning, many people find it unnecessary to visit the dentist if they do not have a problem.
The second best time to visit the dentist is when you have a minor dental problem. Such a problem may not cause you any pain or stress in your daily routine, but if you feel the symptoms, it definitely means that there is a problem with your teeth. Examples of a minor problem include extreme sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods, pain when biting, food getting stuck between your teeth, bad breath, etc.
The thing about these types of dental problems is that many patients think that since the problem is minor, it will go away on its own or that it does not require any dental treatment. However, this is far from the truth. Such minor dental problems can progress and cause you more problems in the future if not treated promptly. Therefore, even if you have minor pain in your teeth, it is best to visit your dentist as soon as possible.
If You Have Severe Toothache or Swelling
If you have unbearable pain or swelling in your mouth or on one side of your face, it is best to visit your dentist as soon as possible. Leave everything else aside and make it a priority. Such symptoms can be a sign of a serious infection and should be treated immediately. It may be surprising, but the fear of dental treatment makes patients shy away from going to the dentist even in such urgent cases.
Therefore, make it a priority to visit your dentist in the three situations above. The first is, of course, ideal, but as they say: ‘better late than never’.
Do not delay or postpone your visit to the dentist by taking painkillers. These medications may provide temporary relief, but the root cause of your toothache will continue to progress.
For healthy teeth and continued health, do not neglect your routine dental check-ups every six months and brush your teeth at least twice a day.
