How Important Dentists Are to Your Health And How a Common Untreated Dental Issue Can Cause Paralysis

Why should you visit a dentist regularly? Why are dentists even needed?

Maintaining good oral health is crucial to general overall well-being, yet many people tend to overlook the significance of regular dental check-ups. People usually only visit a dentist when they are in pain, experience discomfort in the mouth area or feel insecure about their teeth.

As much as we encourage people to seek us out in these conditions, it should not be the only time we, as dentists, see you in our chair. Waiting until problems arise can lead to more extensive, possibly evasive, and expensive treatments. In this post, we will explore the reasons why you need a dentist and how regular dental visits can help preserve your oral health.  We prefer you keep your teeth and that they are comfortable in your mouth.

1. Early Detection of Dental Problems:

Regular dental check-ups allow dentists to identify and treat potential issues in their early stages. Many dental problems, such as cavities, gum disease, or oral cancer, may not exhibit noticeable symptoms until they have progressed significantly. By visiting your dentist every six months, you can catch these problems early, preventing them from getting worse and requiring more invasive procedures. 

We have ways to determine if you possibly are in danger of oral cancer and even catch it early if we see you often enough.  Its onset is in the 60s and it is the most common form of head and neck cancer.  Persistent mouth pain, thickening of the cheek, red patches on gums, tongue, tonsils, or mouth lining, and mouth sores are some of the symptoms.  Early detection is key.

2. Preventive Care and Education:

Dentists and dental hygienists not only provide professional cleaning but also offer valuable advice on how to maintain proper oral hygiene at home. We educate you about the best brushing and flossing techniques, the importance of a balanced diet, and the potential effects of certain habits like smoking or teeth grinding. Regular checkups allow us to be able to take stock of how well our guidance is being used and offer advice or alternative methods.

3. Avoiding Tooth Loss:

Tooth loss can have a significant impact on your appearance, self-confidence, and overall oral functionality. Regular dental visits can help you avoid tooth loss by identifying early signs of gum disease, which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Dentists can provide appropriate treatment to address gum disease before it progresses to advanced stages where tooth extraction becomes necessary.

4. Maintaining Overall Health:

Contrary to what most people are aware of, oral health is closely linked to overall health. Numerous studies have established connections between poor oral health and systemic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, respiratory infections, and even Alzheimer's disease. By regularly visiting your dentist, you can reduce the risk of these conditions by maintaining good oral hygiene and addressing any potential oral health problems promptly.

5. Enhancing Aesthetics and Self-Confidence:

A beautiful smile can significantly impact your self-esteem and overall confidence. Dentists offer a wide range of cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, veneers, or orthodontic treatments, to help you achieve the smile you desire. Regular dental visits allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and provide recommendations for improving your smile's appearance, thereby boosting your self-confidence.
Maintaining a healthy smile is not only about brushing and flossing at home; it also requires regular visits to your dentist. These check-ups provide an opportunity for early detection of dental issues, preventive care, and valuable education on maintaining good oral hygiene. By prioritizing your dental health and making routine dental visits, you can preserve your teeth, maintain overall health, and confidently show off your beautiful smile.  It is never too late to start being more proactive about oral care.  Have you booked your appointment?

Can Untreated Tooth Decay Cause Facial Paralysis? Absolutely

Facial paralysis, also known as Bell's palsy, is the sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. There are several potential causes such as chicken pox/ shingles, German measles, mumps, herpes, and a number of others.  

One easily preventable and shocking possible cause is untreated tooth decay.  The unfortunate thing is that this is an often-overlooked aspect. There is a link between these two seemingly unrelated issues and we want to highlight on how untreated tooth decay can lead to facial paralysis.
The Basics. The Anatomy of Facial Nerves:

To understand the connection between untreated tooth decay and facial paralysis, it is crucial to understand the complicated anatomy of the facial nerves. The facial nerves are responsible for controlling the muscles of the face. These nerves start in the brainstem and pass through narrow channels in the skull, eventually branching out to various facial muscles.

How it starts being a problem. The Development and Progression of Tooth Decay:

Tooth decay is a common oral health issue caused by the breakdown of tooth enamel due to acid-producing bacteria. If you don’t take care of it the tooth decay progresses through various stages, starting with the formation of cavities and eventually reaching the dental pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels.

The dental pulp is part of the tooth we can’t see.  It is under the white hard layer called the enamel.  It’s also the ‘ ‘living’ part of the tooth.  Capable of feeling pressure, temperature, and pain.

How the problem grows to be a more serious issue. The Spread of Infection:

Untreated tooth decay provides an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, leading to the formation of dental abscesses.

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that is caused by a bacterial infection. Sometimes it is under the tooth, just causing pain and pressure, and other times it swells bursting through the gum lining.

These abscesses can transmit infections within the oral cavity and, in some cases, spread to adjacent areas. When infections reach the maxillary sinus (the area in the cheeks close to the nose bridge), for instance, they can potentially affect the facial nerves that pass through this region.

The main culprit. The Role of Inflammation:

Inflammation plays a large role in the connection between untreated tooth decay and facial paralysis. As this dental infection progresses, the body's immune response triggers an inflammatory response.

An inflammatory response (inflammation) is when the tissue injured by the bacteria releases chemicals that cause the blood vessels to leak fluid (cells to attack the bacteria) into the tissue.

This inflammation can exert pressure on the facial nerves, leading to their compression or damage, resulting in facial paralysis.

Now it’s wreaked havoc.  Nerve Damage and Facial Paralysis:

When the facial nerves are compromised due to infection, inflammation, or trauma associated with untreated tooth decay, facial paralysis can be the final result. How serious it is and how long the paralysis lasts vary depending on how badly the nerves are damaged. However, catching it before irreversible damage and treatment can often result in complete recovery.

How do we stop it or fix it? Prevention and Treatment:

Prevention is undoubtedly the most effective approach to avoid this connection between untreated tooth decay and facial paralysis. Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups, maintaining good oral hygiene practices, and promptly addressing tooth decay can significantly reduce the risk of this and many other complications. Early detection and treatment of dental infections can reduce the risk of facial paralysis associated with untreated dental infections. A holistic approach to oral health is vital in safeguarding not only our teeth but also the intricate network of facial nerves.

Your dentist at each visit should review a treatment plan and explain each process in detail with you, highlighting from the most critical issue to treatments that can wait longer.  And if your teeth are proclaimed healthy by your dentist, that is superb! Make sure you have secured your next visit in six months.  In six months, go to your appointment.  Some practices like AFD have extended hours and various financial packages.  Ask for the fee schedule for your treatment plan and discuss options.