We’ll let you in on a little secret: even dental professionals don’t always enjoy undergoing necessary dental treatment. But just because something isn’t fun doesn’t mean it isn’t important.

If you begin feeling a minor toothache, it can be tempting to just dismiss it –– especially if it’s not too painful or your budget is tight. However, ignoring a dental problem will not make it go away on its own. In fact, it will only continue to get worse, sometimes very rapidly.

By the time the pain is bad enough for you to make an appointment, what may have been a small dental cavity has now become a severe tooth abscess. Instead of getting your tooth evaluated at the first sign of trouble, you’ve now undergone much more pain and will likely have to spend quite a bit more money getting it fixed.

The Cost of Postponing Dental Treatment

We often hear of patients delaying dental treatments because they don’t have the time. But as the saying goes, time is money, and Americans are spending millions of dollars every year on dental procedures that could have been avoided had they visited the dentist earlier. In addition to the added cost, dental emergencies can force you to miss work, causing even more financial strain on your wallet.

Below are some alarming facts surrounding the increase of postponed dental treatment:

• One in three Americans have admitted that they’ve put off a dental appointment.
• Of those one-in-three Americans, 80% know that the decision to delay treatment will cost more in the long run.
• Up to 60% of people who make less than $30,000 – $35,000 a year don’t have dental insurance, which makes it even less likely that they’ll visit the dentist for treatment.
• There has been a 21% increase of people visiting the emergency room for dental problems.

In addition to the monetary cost of postponing treatment, you also run the risk of damaging your overall health as well. If problems like periodontitis and gum disease go untreated, you risk developing diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. With these additional health problems in mind, you’ll also have accrued medical costs for medical issues that may have otherwise been prevented.

Benefits of Immediate Dental Treatments

If you suffer from oral health issues, seeking treatment as early as possible is vital to preventing further damage. Seeing your dentist every six months for a regular check-up and cleaning can help catch dental damage sooner, giving you the optimum chance to treat the issue as quickly as possible.

Treating dental damage at the earliest signs can:

• Prevent further dental damage
• Help protect the teeth from requiring extraction or being lost to decay
• Help keep oral health at its best
• Keep dental costs down by preventing the need for expensive dental treatments

Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, we’re firm believers that prevention is key when it comes to caring for your teeth. Exercising good oral health habits is the best way to avoid spending extra time and money at the dentist’s office. Brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing everyday, and keeping up with regular dental exams and cleanings will help keep your smile healthy and strong.

Sometimes even the best prevention methods aren’t enough to protect your teeth from decay, cavities, injury, or infection. Never hesitate to contact your general dentist if you suspect a dental issue. The sooner you can get it treated, the better!

You deserve a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Our team of specialized doctors makes it their mission to restore our patients’ smiles and relieve their pain. With offices located in Pueblo and Colorado Springs, convenient care is just a phone call away. Contact us today to learn how we can restore your smile!