Many people put off a visit to the dentist for years, often because they have a significant fear of the dentist's chair. Others are worried about the costs involved in any treatment that may be suggested. In fact, there may be many reasons why people simply don't pick up the phone and make an appointment. Yet the repercussions of this inaction can be quite serious. What is the worst-case scenario?
When you haven't been to the dentist for a great deal of time and may not have been as diligent in cleaning and flossing as you should, it's almost inevitable that tartar will build up around the base of the teeth and adjacent to the gums, leading to the formation of plaque. This is a very hard substance that, once formed, is difficult to remove by yourself.
Damage Caused
Because this substance can harbour bacteria and eat away at the gums beneath, it can cause the formation of pockets, which in time can separate the gum and the tissues from the teeth. As this detachment progresses and inflammation continues, the tissue and ultimately the bone beneath can start to deform as well.
As you can imagine, this will lead to major issues, including the potential for loss of teeth and spreading of inflammation to the rest of your body. Unfortunately, sometimes the dentist will ultimately diagnose that you have periodontitis, which is a disease of the bone and gums. The good news is that dentists can treat this condition and can advise you how to institute some behavioural changes yourself.
Put It Right
The first thing that you need to do once you have finally scheduled a consultation is to understand the extent of the problem. This will involve the dentist taking X-rays and also using certain tools to probe the pockets and detachment in place. Then, it'll be necessary to remove the tartar and plaque buildup by scheduling a thorough cleaning. This will help to get rid of the bacteria and the toxin in and around the root surfaces. This can be quite a lengthy process and may involve a couple of visits, but it may not even require any anaesthetic.
Once inflammation has been removed completely and stability has been achieved, then any loose teeth can be worked on and further treatment discussed.
t's best to schedule your first consultation with a dentist as soon as possible, if you find yourself in this position.
