The Hidden Costs of Ignoring Minor Oral Problems: From Sensitivity to Major Restorations

If you notice a dental problem and decide to ignore it, you might think that you’re out of the woods once the issue goes away. Unfortunately, we nearly always see the dental issue return, and it often returns with complications that make it more complex to repair.

This is why we always recommend visiting a dentist for a checkup if you notice any issues with your oral health. Even if the problem goes away while you are waiting for your appointment to arrive, you should still attend to get the all-clear.

In this guide, we’re going to explore some of the ways in which dental problems can compound and become much worse if you choose to ignore them.

What happens when you ignore a toothache?

A toothache is often a sign that something is amiss. This could be dental decay, issues with your tooth roots, a dental abscess, or even gum disease.

If your toothache is caused by dental decay and you decide to ignore it, this doesn’t mean that the issue has stopped because the pain has gone away. It often means that more of the tooth root has died, so the nerve endings die too, leading to an end to your pain. However, this end will not last, as the infection is likely to spread further.

What could have been addressed with a simple filling could eventually need a root canal. If the pain is ignored any longer, the tooth will become more damaged and this could mean the only option is to extract the tooth.

What happens when you ignore sensitive teeth?

If your teeth are sensitive, this is not something you should ignore, particularly if they become more sensitive out of the blue. Tooth sensitivity can be linked to issues with enamel erosion, over-whitening of your teeth, gum disease and receding gums.

You might think that you can live with sensitive teeth by simply avoiding the things that bother them, but it is far better to get to the heart of the issue to find a solution. It’s far better to understand the cause of your dental sensitivity so that you aren’t at risk of further damage.

What happens if you ignore bleeding gums?

Bleeding gums are one of the first signs of gum disease, and this is not something that you should ignore. It might seem like a minor problem, particularly if you aren’t experiencing any pain yet. However, you’ll have a better chance of addressing the issue if you catch it early enough.

Gum disease that is caught early can be reversed, but as it becomes more advanced, your only option will be to manage your symptoms. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and it is very avoidable.

What happens if you ignore a chipped tooth?

The chip might not seem like a big deal to you, and you might quickly become used to the change in your bite or your smile, but we don’t recommend ignoring this issue. A chipped tooth can expose vulnerable parts of the tooth to decay, which can cause issues further down the line.

An example of this would be when a chip appears in a tooth with a filling. The loss of a good barrier seal will allow bacteria to get underneath your filling and attack the tooth. This could lead to a painful condition that requires root canal treatment or extraction.

What to do when you are scared of treatment

A common reason to ignore dental problems is that you are scared of the treatment. We understand that dental phobias can make it difficult to seek out treatment, but we really do believe that early intervention is better.

Visiting the dentist at the first sign of an issue can help you to avoid more extensive or uncomfortable treatment further down the line. If you are scared of the dentist for any reason, we encourage you to get in touch with our reception staff.

They can guide you through the process of securing an appointment and will let your dentist know. We can then slow down the appointment, give you time to ask questions, or let you distract yourself with music. You’re also welcome to bring a friend to your appointment for support.