No one wants to live with pain – especially when that pain is in your mouth. An aching tooth or inflamed gums can make it difficult for you to go about your daily life. Eating and talking – both of which are basic parts of everyday life – can both be difficult if you are experiencing oral pain. Preventative dentistry can protect against the various types of oral pain.

Quickly identify problems with your gums

Your gums are an important part of the overall structure of your teeth. It is easy to ignore the importance of your gums because they are not the part of your smile that is most noticeable. However, you will quickly understand how important your gums are if you start to experience problems with them. Periodontal disease is common and can range from mild – gingivitis – to serious – periodontitis. The earliest stage of gum disease includes symptoms such as inflammation, bleeding gums, and mild pain. The more serious type of gum disease can lead to receding gums, more intense pain, and sometimes even tooth loss. Checking the health of your gums is an important part of preventative dental care. Your dentist can quickly identify problems with your gums and provide you with treatment options that will protect against pain.

Treat cavities in the earliest stage

Cavities cause your teeth to deteriorate and can be extremely painful. It is possible, however, to have a cavity in the early stages that does not cause you pain. During routine dental appointments, your dentist will look for signs of decay using imaging and other tools. If you have any signs of decay, even if you are not experiencing pain, the dentist can go ahead and treat the decay. Treating cavities in the earliest stage is an important way that preventative dentistry can protect against pain.

Discover potential problems before they occur

There are issues beyond tooth decay and gum disease that can cause pain in your mouth. For example, an infection that necessitates a root canal can be extremely painful. Routine dental care allows your dentist to assess your risk for a variety of issues and make recommendations for prevention. There are some situations where early intervention or a change in your daily oral care routine can prevent painful problems from occurring. A big part of what your dentist does during routine dental appointments is look for warning signs of potential problems.

Getting routine dental care is one of the most effective ways to protect against oral pain. Combine consistent preventative care with a high-quality daily hygiene routine and you will have the best possible chance of avoiding serious pain. If you are currently experiencing any level of oral pain, get an appointment scheduled with your dentist. Oral pain can worsen quickly and lead to an emergency situation.