Feeling pain in your mouth could make you think about many worst-case scenarios. You might have been eating a salad, downing a bottle of beer, or just jogging when you felt the pain.
Very often one of the first things people think about when they experience pain in their mouth is cavities, root canals, and a host of other major dental work that could not only be expensive, but also even more painful in the short term. That’s one of the reasons for ignoring pain, and here are four of the most common things people think when they experience some type of pain in their teeth, gums, or other parts of the mouth.
#1: I don’t have time for this.
Who does have time for dental work? Most people are incredibly busy today with full-time jobs, maybe a couple of part-time jobs, raising children, spending time with friends, and doing a host of other things. If the pain goes away with a simple aspirin, there’s no need to sacrifice any of those other things in life, right? Wrong.
#2: I don’t have the money for this.
Even though Canadians enjoy free healthcare, dental coverage is not a part of it. For those who don’t have dental insurance coverage, pain in their teeth could look like dollar signs flying out the window. Major dental work could cost thousands of dollars, but it’s a small investment to help protect your teeth, gums, and even your self-confidence well into the future.
#3: It’s no big deal.
The pain may be short-lived, but any pain you feel in your body is a sign that something is not quite right. If you are in completely good health, you should have no pain whatsoever. If you feel pain in a tooth, along the gum line, or even in the roof of your mouth, it’s time to have it properly diagnosed.
#4: I’m afraid of the dentist.
Lots of grown men and women will readily admit they don’t like going to the dentist because they’re afraid of the pain associated with it. In truth, there are more options than ever to help alleviate pain and certain procedures that can provide comfort to just about anyone.
There’s really no excuse for ignoring pain in your mouth. It could be something minor or it could be a sign of something much more significant. Pay attention to the signs and when you feel pain, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.