Often overlooked until pain strikes, oral health quietly shapes overall wellbeing. What begins as minor discomfort can escalate into serious conditions, making early awareness, timely care, and prevention more important than ever.
Don’t ignore early dental warning signs
ORAL health is a critical but often neglected aspect of overall healthcare. Many people brush off small issues, thinking a lack of pain means nothing is wrong, when these early signs can actually signal bigger problems to come if left untreated.
Sharing more on this, Wise Dental, Kuching’s Principal Dentist, Dr Keith Chew, said that people are quick to ignore the red flags, assuming it’s normal.
“When it comes to oral health, the most common early warning signs that many ignore are sensitivity, bleeding gums, bad breath, and food getting stuck in between their teeth. While these may sound normal, they are actually early signs of gum disease and tooth decay.”
Often, when pain comes and goes, many assume it’s minor. However, underlying problems can progress unnoticed and typically will not resolve without intervention.
With over five years of experience in the field, Dr Keith has met many patients during his practice. Throughout the years, he has encountered patients with serious oral health conditions due to delayed treatment on a regular basis. He further emphasised that most major dental work starts from a small, painless issue that is ignored for months, or even years.
There is also a huge difference when patients come to see him after the issue has escalated.
“A simple scaling or filling may cost under RM200. But if treatment is delayed, it can turn into a root canal, crown, or even require an implant that costs thousands.”
Therefore, he highlighted that early treatment is essential and must not be ignored.
“As cliché as it sounds, prevention, or early treatment, is always better than a cure.”
Sharing a recent case, Dr Keith recounted how a patient initially presented with mild tooth sensitivity, which was later diagnosed as a small cavity and promptly treated with a simple filling. In contrast, another patient who experienced the same early symptom delayed seeking care. By the time treatment was sought, the decay had progressed into an infection, requiring a root canal and crown. Though the symptoms were similar at the start, the outcomes differed significantly – highlighting how timing can make all the difference.
Hence, he advised the public to prioritise oral healthcare. He also lamented that the neglect was due to several misconceptions and myths surrounding it.
“For instance, some people believe that scaling will weaken or loosen teeth, which isn’t true. Some also believe that losing teeth is normal and part of ageing. But with proper care, we can keep our natural teeth for a long time, possibly for life.”
With this, he said that it is advisable to visit the dentist every six months to catch any problems before they escalate to later stages, which will be more complicated to treat.
“Oral health affects more than people realise. A toothache can disrupt sleep, affect concentration, and even impact a person’s mood and confidence at work or in social situations,” said the dentist.
For regular dental check-ups, Dr Keith understands that the first step is always the hardest, even when coming in for a basic check-up and cleaning. Nevertheless, the visit often includes oral condition assessment and advice accordingly when needed.
Asked what three simple preventive habits people can start immediately to care for oral hygiene, he said, “Brush twice a day, floss daily, and go for regular dental check-ups. These three habits alone can prevent most dental problems.”
As he ended the interview, Dr Keith wants to remind the public not to wait until it hurts. This is because, by the time there is pain, the problem has become serious, and it would be difficult to treat.
