Sometimes dental issues are clearly felt, for instance when an infected tooth is causing severe pain. Sometimes symptoms of oral health problems can be seen, such as bleeding gums, a crack in a tooth, or the grey lines of a cavity. Sadly, often dental symptoms go either unnoticed or ignored, making extensive restorative treatment a far more likely necessity. But that doesn’t have to be the case. By learning the symptoms of various dental issues and how your dentist can help address them, you are much more likely to not only save your smile, but to do so in the least invasive – and least expensive – way possible.
Treating Cavities Is Super Simple
Cavities are one of the most common but also simplest dental threats to address. In most cases, particularly if prompt restorative treatment is sought, a simple cleaning and dental filling will be sufficient for saving the tooth from further decay.
However, the longer a patient postpones treatment for a cavity, the more likely the tooth is to become infected.
Root Canals Can Also Save Teeth
When a tooth does become infected, that is when a dentist is likely to recommend root canal treatment or therapy. This is a more invasive procedure than dental fillings, but it can be the best way to save a badly damaged tooth from falling out or requiring an extraction. This is ideal in most cases, because extractions only create the need for a prosthetic piece to complete the smile.
So while many people think an extraction would be easier than having a root canal performed, that is rarely the case. If you don’t want to have to wear a fake tooth or dentures, you should schedule an appointment anytime you notice new or changing dental symptoms, including tooth sensitivity.