Skipping your regular dental cleanings may not seem like a big deal. Afterall, you aren’t in any pain and you have been brushing every single day. What is the point if you aren’t getting any restorative work done to your smile? The truth is that your regular dental appointment is about much more than just giving your teeth a nice polish. Continue reading to learn what the consequences are of skipping a dental cleaning in DeSoto.
Tooth Decay
Even if you are the most diligent brusher in the world, there are still going to be areas that you’re missing when brushing your teeth. This is what your dentist is here for. During your dental cleaning, they use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from the surface of the tooth enamel to prevent future tooth decay. They also check to ensure that you don’t have any cavities that need to be filled. Leaving them untreated can lead to a worse problem that is extremely painful and requires a more invasive treatment, like a root canal or extraction.
Periodontal Disease
It is not just the structure of the teeth that needs to be maintained. Your smile relies on healthy gum tissue to support the teeth. Lazy brushing and flossing habits lead to buildups of plaque and tartar. When bacteria accumulate along the gumline, redness and inflammation is a result. When this is left untreated, it can progress to much more serious stages of gum disease that cause loose teeth or tooth loss entirely. Fortunately, your dentist is trained to catch early signs of periodontal disease so you can get treatment and improve your habits before it becomes too serious.
Discoloration
Certain things that people do on the daily, like use tobacco products, drink coffee, and drink tea, can cause unattractive staining over time. When you go to the dentist for a professional cleaning, this helps to remove surface stains. If you aren’t getting your teeth cleaned properly, you may end up paying much more for cosmetic treatments in the future.
Health Issues
During a dental checkup, your dentist checks for signs that could indicate medical issues elsewhere in the body. In addition to checking your teeth and gums, they will also be looking at your tongue, throat, face, and neck for anything that could point to trouble. If you are skipping your dental appointments, it can take longer to have issues like oral cancer, hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, and heart disease detected and treated.
Even though skipping your appointments doesn’t appear to be too much of an issue, the truth is that it can lead to future issues and more expensive, invasive treatments in the years to come. Preventive care, like professional cleanings, is the best way to keep up a healthy smile.
About the Author
Dr. Suzanne Najjar provides a wide array of services, including professional cleanings, at Amaze Dental in DeSoto, TX. She earned her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and has undergone continuing education. Currently, she is a member of both the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. For more information or to schedule a cleaning with Dr. Najjar, visit her website or call (972) 230-1100.