Although going to the dentist isn’t your idea of a good time, you must do everything possible to keep your teeth in good shape. Part of that is maintaining regular dental checkups. You may think that skipping an appointment every so often won’t affect your oral health much, but you’d be wrong. Skipping dental exams, especially after dental work, can lead to several problems. Find out what transpires if you don’t get your teeth cleaned and inspected every six months and why it’s good for your health to do so.
Buildup of Plaque
Putting off a professional cleaning allows plaque to build up in hard-to-reach places, where it can then harden into tartar. Even with diligent home care, including brushing, flossing, and antimicrobial mouthwash, tartar can be stubborn to remove. Tartar can only be removed after it has formed and only by a dentist with special training.
Regular cleanings by a dentist in Duluth, GA help prevent and treat gingivitis, which is caused by tartar accumulation along the gum line. If left untreated, periodontitis develops, damaging the gums, bones, and tissues that keep your teeth in place. To lessen plaque buildup between dental checkups, try using an electric toothbrush recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing with tartar-controlling toothpaste containing fluoride, and cutting back on sugary foods.
Teeth Discoloration
At regular six-month intervals, you should have a professional dental cleaning and polishing performed to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from your teeth. Skipping cleanings can leave you with a lackluster smile and lower self-esteem.
Two annual dental cleanings are recommended for optimal oral hygiene. If your teeth have deep stains, talk to your dentist about your options for whitening treatments. Professional teeth whitening or porcelain veneers are just two examples of the cosmetic treatments your dentist may recommend to help you when you check this page and achieve the smile of your dreams.
Bad Breath
Plaque collects germs, which can lead to bad breath, especially if gum disease is present. Several things, including dry mouth, smoking and tobacco use, kidney and liver disorders, or a throat or respiratory infection, can cause bad breath. Regular dental checkups can help determine if bad breath is caused by oral issues or something more serious, like a medical condition that needs medical attention.
Tooth Loss and Gum Disease
Skipping the dentist puts your gums at risk and boosts your odds of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease. When gum disease is present, the gums become red, inflamed, painful, and bleed easily. As gum disease advances, it can cause pain when chewing, gum recession, bad smell, and even the loss of bone and teeth.
Stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems are riskier for people with gum disease. Maintaining healthy gums and a gleaming smile with regular hygiene cleanings.
Cavities
By maintaining regular dental checkups, cavities can be readily cured. Suppose you don’t see your dentist regularly. In that case, harmful bacteria in plaque and tartar can eat away at your tooth enamel, resulting in cavities that, if left untreated, might lead to more serious dental problems and even the need for a root canal, dental crown, or even extraction.
Oral Cancer
More than 50,000 oral cancer cases are diagnosed yearly in the United States. The tongue, lips, mouth, roof, floor, cheeks, neck, and sinuses are all possible sites of oral cancer. During your regular dental checkup, your family dentist in Duluth will screen for oral cancer. Earlier detection increases the possibility of successful treatment.
Conclusion
Putting off a trip to the dentist might not seem like a big deal, but ignoring oral health issues can lead to rapid deterioration. You should schedule an meeting with your dentist immediately if it has been longer than six months since your previous dental checkup.
