Dentistry: Ask The Expert
Preventable Dental
EMERGENCY D O N’ T
L E T
I T
S T O P
Y O U
I N
Y O U R
T R A C K S
by Dr. Matt Artho, Owner of Country Lakes Family Dental
ENAMEL CARIES
DENTIN CARIES
PULPITIS
O
PERIODONTITIS
ne of the most innovative developments in automobiles is the tire pressure monitoring system that automatically lets you know your tire pressure. It’s very handy, of course, until you are following your child’s bus to his class field trip and get a slow leak that you anxiously watch drop one psi at a time between Fort Worth and San Antonio. Don’t worry, I made it just in time (with 20 psi to spare), but unfortunately in dentistry, our teeth and gums usually lack the ability to give us immediate warning signs to oncoming emergencies.
the time a tooth begins to feel pain from
When making routine dental and catching it early can make all examinations, most patients are aware the difference. of the necessity to have their teeth When it comes to monitoring tooth cleaned, but it is also important decay, oftentimes the lesion is that your teeth and gums are PERIODONTAL located in between the teeth, monitored for potential tooth DISEASE IS OFTEN and only a dental radiograph or gum disease. Considering CALLED THE SILENT will illustrate its presence. Small that even the most diligent cavities on the chewing surfaces DENTAL DISEASE dental patient is seen twice may initially appear as a stain a year, a lot can occur within six unless checked by your dentist. Decay months when it comes to oral health that is unchecked can grow resulting in a great loss of tooth structure or fracture. By
Bacteria beneath the gums will cause
extensive decay, it is likely close to the
nerve requiring a root canal or extraction. Gum health is also recorded during
routine examinations. Periodontal disease is often called the silent dental disease, as it is unnoticeable if not monitored.
inflammation that results in bone loss
around the teeth that cannot be regained. Excessive bone loss could potentially lead to tooth loss.
Any of these conditions could quickly cause an unwanted and unexpected
emergency. The best method to avoid a
dental emergency is to be prepared and preventative. Make sure to keep up your
homecare and don’t miss those essential dental appointments.
940.455.7645 | COUNTRYLAKESDENTAL.COM | 74 MCMAKIN RD., STE. 200 • BARTONVILLE, TX 76226
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NOVEMBER 2020 | 35 WEST | 29
