Even if going to the dentist isn’t your cup of tea, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is essential. Among these measures is maintaining routine dental checkups. If you think skipping the dentist every so often won’t significantly impact your teeth, think again. Especially after having had dental work done, skipping exams can cause many complications. Find out why it’s so important to get your teeth cleaned and checked at least once a year and what happens if you don’t.
Buildup of Plaque
Plaque accumulates in hard-to-reach regions and hardens into tartar when professional hygiene cleansing is avoided. Despite regular brushing, flossing, and antimicrobial mouthwash, tartar might be difficult to remove at home. Only an emergency dentist in Duluth, GA, can get rid of tartar once it has formed.
Gingivitis, which is caused by tartar buildup along the gum line and is curable with regular dental hygienist cleanings, is a common dental problem. If not treated, it can progress to periodontitis, which destroys the tissues and bones that hold teeth in place. Between dental checkups, you may keep plaque at bay by using a fluoride-containing, tartar-control toothpaste or an electric toothbrush and cutting out on sugary foods.
Teeth Discoloration
To remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains, your dental hygienist will cleanse and polish your teeth every six months. If you don’t get your teeth cleaned regularly, you may notice that your smile seems less bright.
By cleaning them twice yearly, you can keep your teeth clean and healthy. If you have severely stained teeth, go to your family dentist in Duluth, GA, about your whitening options. If you want to improve your smile, your dentist may recommend cosmetic procedures like tooth whitening or porcelain veneers.
Bad Breath
Plaque can trap bacteria, leading to poor breath and gum disease. Bad breath can be caused by several things, including dry mouth, smoking, using tobacco products, kidney and liver disorders, and a respiratory or throat infection. Regular dental checkups can help you determine if bad breath is dental-related or indicates the need for medical attention.
Tooth Loss and Gum Disease
You shouldn’t skip regular dental checkups if you want to protect your gums and reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gums that are red, puffy, painful, and bleed easily are indicative of gum disease. As gum disease progresses, you may experience pain when chewing, gum recession, bad breath, and even bone and tooth loss.
Stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular problems are riskier for those with gum disease. Maintaining healthy gums and a gleaming smile through regular hygiene cleanings.
Cavities
Frequent dental checkups and cleanings are all it takes to prevent and treat cavities. If you don’t see your dentist regularly, harmful bacteria in plaque and tartar can eat away at your tooth enamel and lead to cavities. These cavities could lead to more serious dental issues like a root canal, crown, or even extraction if left untreated.
Oral Cancer
Every year, about 50,000 people in the US are diagnosed with oral cancer. The tongue, lips, mouth, roof, floor, cheeks, neck, and sinuses are all potential sites of oral cancer. At the time of your regular dental checkup, Duluth dental services will perform a screening for oral cancer. When a disease is diagnosed at an earlier stage, the chances of successful treatment are much higher.
Conclusion
Though putting off a trip to the dentist might not seem like a big deal, ignoring oral health issues can swiftly lead to more serious complications. If it has been lengthier than six months since your last dental exam, you should contact your dentist immediately to schedule a cleaning and checkup.
