For many people, visiting the dentist is something they dread and only do for their required cleanings if they go at all. However, it is essential that you visit your dentist regularly and especially after a tooth has been damaged. If you don’t you can accidentally experience additional damage to your tooth or just pain and discomfort that you could avoid by going into the dentist on time.
Assess the Damage
The first thing that your dentist will do is help you figure out what happened and how severe the damage is. This will help them to figure out what action they need to take to return your mouth to optimal health. They will look at your tooth and perform x-rays so that they can get an idea of what happened and how it can be fixed. Then they will talk with you about the best course of action so you can make an informed decision about your oral health.
Repair a Chipped or Broken Tooth
Once they have figured out the problem, they will start the repair process. Teeth can be prepared in many different ways depending on the kind of damage and how significant it is. Dental crowns are often an alloy composed of several different metals. Caps and other solutions can be used as well if they are appropriate for the kind of damage you sustained. Sometimes your tooth only needs to be filed and evened out.
Prevent Further Damage
One of the most important reasons to go to the dentist after you have damaged a tooth is to prevent further damage to your tooth. If you put it off, you can continue to hurt the tooth which can lead to bigger and more expensive problems down the line. But your dentist can help you to protect your tooth so that you can continue eating and managing your life without further pain or frustration. Sometimes your dentist will be able to permanently resolve the situation right away while in other cases they will provide a temporary solution that will be replaced with a permanent one when it is ready.
Going to the dentist is so important, especially when you have damaged a tooth. It is a good idea to find a dentist that you really like so they can help you to feel comfortable at your appointments. That way you can always have a positive experience when you head into the dentist’s office.
Check out this article on how to deal with a toothache when you can’t get to a dentist!
