One reason people may feel that dental problems are not important is that they do not realize that their oral health has effects on their general health. An infection in your teeth and gums can actually move beyond the site of infection, if they are left alone for too long. If you grind your teeth, you can create TMJ issues that can cause frequent pains that upset your quality of life. Oral cancer, a life-threatening condition, can also go unnoticed if you do not see your dentist. Patients are recommended to make semiannual visits to the dentist’s office, to help avoid letting problems go unchecked.
There is evidence that active gum disease can complicate preexisting health conditions. People with diabetes can have their efforts to maintain their health complicated by gum disease. It can also complicate matters if you are at risk for heart problems. Gum disease also has immediate effects, as it can be a primary cause of tooth loss for adults.
During a routine checkup, your dentist will be on the lookout for anything unusual that might be a sign of oral cancer. The earlier treatment is started, the better your chances are of recovering.
If you leave a cavity unaddressed for too long, the bacteria that infiltrate your tooth can actually spread from the root to your jawbone. This can lead to additional health problems, and cause issues for surrounding teeth. If you treat a cavity quickly, you can save more of your healthy tooth structure, and have your restoration done with a filling for your tooth.