I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
Your teeth, unlike your bones, cannot heal themselves once damaged. Therefore, it is important that you not only take care of your teeth, but also have a dentist examine them at least once in a while. A report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in 2016 discovered that 44% of Australians without dental insurance avoid going to the dentist.
It's understandable that cost is an issue for many people. However, even if you think your teeth are in good shape, and you practice good oral hygiene, not all dental problems are immediately apparent.
Some issues don't become obvious until the damage is so great that you end up paying far more for dental treatment in future than you might have paid had your dentist detected the issues early.
Here are 3 dental issues that a simple dental examination can help you identify.
Tartar Between Teeth
Tartar is formed when the thin, sticky layer of bio-film called plaque is left on teeth for a prolonged period of time. Even though brushing can and does remove most plaque from your teeth, those hard to reach places between your teeth, especially the molars at the back, may already be home to a substantial amount of tartar.
Yes, tartar is ugly and doesn't seem to be harmful to your teeth other than in a cosmetic way, but there are hidden things going that may lead to further dental issues.
For example, tartar, which is made up of food debris, minerals contained in saliva and worse: millions of bacteria. These bacteria can cause gum disease.
Hidden Gum Disease
When tartar forms between teeth, the bacteria within are free to reproduce and thrive in their millions. These microbes release metabolic waste; which contains acid, that causes tooth decay and eventually, gum disease.
Gum disease is also difficult to detect. Some people may have had it for years without realizing it. Early gum disease, called gingivitis, causes bleeding and irritated gums. However, once gingivitis becomes full blown gum disease, known as periodontitis, the tissue and bone around your teeth will begin to break down.
If this is happening between your teeth, you may not be aware of it, but receding gums is one way to spot gum disease.
Receding Gums
Gums recede due to irritation or injury. If you suffer from periodontal disease, the harmful toxins released by the bacteria flourishing around your gums in the plaque and tartar, will break down the bone around your teeth and cause your gums to recede.
Eventually, if left untreated, you could lose the affected teeth. However, if your dentist spots the condition early enough, they may be able to treat the condition and save your teeth. This is why it is worth your time and money to book a dental examination if you haven't been to the dentist in a long time. It may just save you a lot of money in the long run.
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