Almost everyone knows about the dreaded cavity. Cavities are among the most common afflictions that a human can get, but that doesn’t mean you can take them lightly. Not only can cavities be damaging when they are there, but they can cause long-term issues if left untreated.
Missing School or Work Due to Pain
When a cavity becomes severe and reaches the pulp of your teeth, the pain from the cavity intensifies to a point where it hurts your daily life. Not only will you end up missing a day of work or school while you get the cavity fixed, but you also might miss extra days if the pain becomes too much to bear.
Nutrition Problems
Pain and difficulty eating because of your cavity make maintaining the right amount of nutrition more difficult. Chances are, you will eat less when eating is more painful, so you may drop under your healthy weight or not receive the amount of nutrition you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle, further making each day with the cavity more difficult.
Tooth Loss
There are some cases where a tooth cannot be saved after a cavity and will have to be pulled. Not only will this procedure cost you, but it can both affect your appearance and your self-confidence if the tooth that needs to be pulled is in a noticeable area.
A Tooth Abscess
While this one is rare, it is by far the most dangerous risk you take by ignoring the signs of a cavity. A cavity that has worked its way down into the pulp may suffer a bacterial infection, which causes a pocket of pus known as a tooth abscess to form. This infection can spread, causing more serious infections. Some of these infections can even end up being life-threatening.
Please contact one of our offices, Holland Rd: (757) 431-1300 • Landstown: (757) 431-2200 or request an appointment online if you have any questions or concerns about dental health. At Gentle Dental Center, we are eager to help you enjoy a beautiful, healthy smile — as well as newfound confidence at work, play, and home.
