Teeth won’t heal themselves and if you are dealing with tooth decay, putting off dental checkups in East Greenbush is only going to make things worse.
According to Dr. J. Craig Alexander, skipping a dental visit means less conservative and more expensive treatments that could be avoided with regular dental checkups.
Tooth Decay Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
A simple filling for a small cavity is never simple if left untreated. Tooth decay can invade the entire tooth leaving it dead inside. Once the nerves and pulp inside your tooth die, the only remedy is root canal therapy, or in extreme cases, extraction.
Gum Disease and Regular Dental Checkups
Bleeding, red, and swollen gums are just as bad as tooth decay. If left to continue, gum disease, known as gingivitis, will eventually get worse creating pockets between the gums and teeth.
When gum disease progresses to the point of no return, there is no cure. While periodontal disease can be controlled, it cannot be cured.
Known as periodontitis, this disease eats away at the bone because of plaque and tartar. Tartar is the hard stuff that only your East Greenbush dentist can remove.
Dental Checkups Prevent Decay Gingivitis and More
Regular dental checkups prevent tooth decay and gum disease, but they do more than that. Dr. Alexander explains that regular comprehensive dental checkups prevent overall health issues as well.
If you follow this blog, you will remember that research indicates a link between oral and overall health. The connection seems to be inflammation. Whatever the reason, it just makes good sense to schedule regular dental checkups.
Comprehensive Dental Checkups
Comprehensive dental checkups include a thorough examination of your throat, neck, cheeks, tongue and of course your teeth and gums.
A comprehensive dental examination gives your dentist in East Greenbush a firsthand look into your overall health. If a lump, bump, patch, or discoloration is discovered, Dr. Alexander will probably recommend a biopsy for further investigation.
If you haven’t seen your dentist in East Greenbush lately, call and schedule a dental checkup with Dr. J. Craig Alexander today.