Regular Dental Checkups to Reduce Risk of Tooth Pain

Getting regular checkups go a long way when it comes to reducing tooth pain. Toothaches are caused by teeth or gums being damaged. The pain you experience is nature’s way of letting you know it is time to see a dentist.

The signs and symptoms of toothaches

Toothaches can typically be managed with over-the-counter painkillers, but that is only a temporary solution. A toothache will keep coming back until the source of the pain is addressed. Fortunately, toothaches can be kept at bay by visiting a dentist twice a year. Common signs and symptoms of toothaches include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Pain from inside or around a tooth
• Inflammation
• Pus oozing out of a tooth

How dental checkups prevent tooth pain

As mentioned earlier, a dental checkup reduces a person’s risk of developing toothaches. There are various reasons why this is so.

1. Teeth are cleaned

Regardless of how well a person cleans their teeth, tartar will accumulate on their surfaces over time. Tartar is calcified plaque, and it gives teeth a yellow tint. Tartar cannot be removed by brushing teeth, it needs to be scraped off by a dentist using a special tool called a scraper.

Getting rid of tartar reduces a person’s risk of tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when oral bacteria that live in plaque and tartar destroy teeth surfaces with the acids they produce. This leaves the more delicate layers of a tooth exposed to the irritants in the mouth like saliva and food particles. The end results are typically toothaches and increased sensitivity to cold and hot foods.

2. Developing problems are detected

Toothaches are caused by many issues that affect teeth like infections, damage due to trauma, gum disease or tooth decay. When a patient goes in for a routine checkup, the dentist examines the patient’s mouth looking for signs of developing problems. Any issues that are discovered are immediately treated, which makes the person less likely to have toothaches. As a general rule, the healthier a person’s mouth is, the lower the odds of getting tooth pain.

Detecting developing dental problems also saves patients money down the road. Many dental issues are a lot cheaper to treat when discovered during their early stages. For example, tooth decay can be treated with a simple filling during its early stages, but it might require a root canal or crown if the decay is allowed to progress.

3. Preventative treatments are performed

A big part of general dentistry is performing preventative treatments that protect the patient’s teeth from things that can lead to tooth decay. For example, fluoride treatments and dental sealants can be used to protect teeth that are vulnerable to decay. Likewise, a mouthguard can be used to protect a person’s teeth from damage if the dentist notices signs of teeth grinding.

Protect your teeth with regular dental checkups

Spare yourself the frustration that often accompanies toothaches by visiting a dentist at least twice a year. Set up a checkup today and let your dentist relieve your pain.

Request an appointment here: https://www.diamondheaddentalcare.com or call Diamond Head Dental Care at (808) 450-2101 for an appointment in our Honolulu office.

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