Don’t Be A ‘Dental Ostrich’

Got a dental issue? Don’t stick your head in the sand, contact Blue Sky Dental in Chelmsford today.

Most of us have probably done it at some point; avoided doing or facing something that we know we ought to do but don’t want to, or don’t want to face facts. Sometimes, that approach doesn’t have too many consequences, but when it comes to dental problems, it almost inevitably does.

Few of us like to acknowledge it when something is wrong with our teeth. Even some who aren’t too concerned about seeing a dentist will put things off, hoping the problem goes away. For those with a significant fear of visiting the dentist, and there are plenty of those, this can be put off for even longer, sometimes enduring a significant level of discomfort while they do. Eventually though, the problem has to be faced and there are many reasons to think twice before you put your ‘head in the sand’.

Pain

The most obvious reason from a patient’s perspective is that any discomfort caused by a dental problem will almost certainly worsen over time. You can try to mask any pain with painkillers but eventually the pain will catch up, and not only that, but the problem causing the pain will have worsened as well.

Let us take a look at some common dental issues and what might be the outcome if you become a ‘dental ostrich’ instead of contacting our Chelmsford dental clinic as soon as you notice the issue.

Tooth decay

This is one of the most common dental problems of all. Unless a toothache is caused by a collision or similar, the likelihood is that it will start in a very small way, perhaps a mild throbbing sensation. This is most likely the start of tooth decay. The one thing that is certain about this problem is that it will progress and potentially become very problematic.

If you do the sensible thing and contact us as soon as you notice any discomfort, there is every chance that we will be able to restore the tooth with a relatively minor procedure; most likely a small filling. Even if you leave it a little longer than you should but not by too much, a filling may still suffice, albeit probably a larger one. Eventually, the tooth may become more badly damaged if you continue to ignore it and a crown or possibly a root canal procedure will be needed.

The reality is that if you have decay, you will need a procedure, so why not act quickly and make sure that it is as minor as possible, rather than risk more extensive treatment later on.

A chipped or broken tooth

Sometimes we might bite on something unexpectedly hard and chip or break a tooth, or it might be caused by a small accident. Our first reaction is usually one of shock, followed by a quick running of our tongue on the breakage. In this moment, we tend to make an instant decision. If we think ‘it’s not too bad’ we might decide that we can live with it as it is, sometimes despite a sharp edge that occasionally grazes our cheeks and tongue. If we think in this way, we are probably only fooling ourselves.

While it is possible for a small chip in a tooth not to get any worse, there is every likelihood that it will. Once a tooth has been damaged like this, the structure is likely to have weakened. This could lead to the chip becoming larger or for the tooth to break elsewhere.  Once again, the sooner you see the dentist, the more minor the restoration is likely to be. In this instance, this may be a filling or even cosmetic bonding if the chip is purely cosmetic. More advanced damage might require a crown or even the tooth needing to be extracted altogether.

Sensitive teeth

Have you ever taken a drink of something hot or cold and winced as a sharp pain shot through the tooth? If you have, you may have worn down the enamel on your teeth, allowing the temperature to be sensed more easily by the nerves in your tooth. Enamel erosion can be caused by several things including brushing too hard, an incorrect bite or perhaps most commonly, consuming too many drinks that are high in acidity.

As the enamel erodes, not only are you likely to feel discomfort from hot and cold temperatures, but your teeth are now at a heightened risk of tooth decay due to the reduction in protective enamel that normally prevents bacteria from entering into the inner parts of the tooth. There is little point in waiting until tooth decay starts and having to put up with sensitive teeth in the meantime. If you notice this unpleasant sensation, call us for an appointment and let one of our Chelmsford dentists take a look. There are a few options available to treat this problem, with porcelain teeth veneers being a popular one.

The simple message then is, when a problem arises, don’t be tempted to bury your head in the sand and take action now instead. There is no need to fear coming to see one of our dentists and if you do suffer from a significant level of anxiety, please talk to us about it so that we can do all we can to make your visit as relaxing as possible.

Have you noticed any of the symptoms mentioned above? If so, don’t even give that sand a second look, pick up the phone and call Blue Sky Dental straight away on 01245 211070.