It is important to come to the dentist twice a year for regular check ups and cleanings, as recommended by your hygienist.
The X-rays we recommend yearly are needed to properly diagnose decay in the teeth that the dentist cannot see with just their eyes. When fillings are recommended it is very important that you do the treatment recommended soon, rather than waiting until you have pain.
When a patient waits until they are in pain it usually means the decay has grown deeper and now requires additional treatment. This can sometimes mean greater costs to the patient and more time in the chair. If a patient cannot afford it, they can risk having to extract the tooth.
Early treatment is best for your oral health
This is one of the reasons why you should always do the fillings before they hurt. They are small, easy to fix, usually covered by the insurance and you spend less time in the chair.
If you ever feel that you don't understand the treatment that has been diagnosed, come back in and ask the dentist to go over the treatment again so you can better understand the need for fillings. The dentist can show you X-rays and photos. This way you can fully understand the benefits versus the risks of doing or not doing the treatment.
Talk with our Calgary dentists about your oral care plan.
By Jackelyn Douglas, Registered Dental Assistant