Visiting the dentist regularly is very important. Yes, sometimes time moves quickly, and life gets busy with work, school, family, and other personal activities. This leads to a few missed dental visits or extended time between appointments. Try not to let life get in the way of your health! What truly happens when you skip out on your dental appointments?
At Eubanks Family Dental, we provide emergency, preventative, and cosmetic treatments for patients of all ages. Having one dentist for the whole home makes scheduling appointments quick and easy. Regular dental visits are one of the easiest ways to protect your oral health and ensure you and your family stay healthy and happy. Learn more about the risks and changes your mouth may experience without professional dental care.
Plaque Continues to Build Up
Plaque builds up in your mouth every day. This is a soft, sticky film consisting of bacteria, food particles, and saliva that constantly forms on your teeth. Even with the best dental habits, it is possible to miss a few spots here and there. That’s why dental cleaning performed by a trained dental hygienist is important to reach the small nooks and crannies that you typically would forget about.
Skipping one cleaning probably won’t ruin your smile. But after a year or two, plaque hardens into tartar, your gums become irritated, and small problems that were easy to fix can suddenly require major dental work. The longer tartar stays on your teeth, the more dangerous it becomes. It traps bacteria and will begin to create an environment where cavities and gum disease develop.
The Risk of Cavities Increases
A great benefit of regular dental cleanings is cavity prevention. The bacteria found in plaque feed on sugars and carbohydrates from your diet. The more they consume, the more acid they produce that wears down your enamel. Eventually, these weak spots become cavities.
If you have a small cavity, it can often be repaired with a simple filling. If a cavity is left untreated, that same cavity can eventually require a crown, root canal, or even a tooth extraction. These are severe, untreated cases that require longer, more intensive treatment.
Gum Disease Development
Gum disease begins silently and often goes unnoticed until it reaches late stages. Many of the signs of gum disease are painless, so many people don’t realize something is wrong.
Signs of Gum Disease Include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Persistent bad breath
- Tender or sensitive gums
Without regularly scheduled dental cleanings, gum disease such as gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, a more severe form of gum disease. If the infection spreads below your gumline, it begins damaging the bone and tissue that support your teeth.
Advanced gum disease can lead to loose teeth, gum recession, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.
Bad Breath May Become More Noticeable
It may be a shock, but chronic bad breath isn’t always caused by the food you eat! Sometimes it is an indicator of an underlying issue.
If your breath never seems fresh, even after brushing, there could be more going on than last night’s dinner. Bacteria trapped around tartar and below the gumline often create odors that brushing alone can’t fix. These bacteria produce unpleasant odors that brushing alone may not eliminate.
Professional dental cleaning at Eubanks Family Dental can remove these smelly bacteria, keeping your mouth healthier and smelling fresh.
If you notice bad breath despite brushing regularly, it may be helpful to schedule a dental cleaning to identify the underlying cause.
Stains Can Become More Visible
Many foods and drinks, including coffee, tea, red wine, soda, berries, and tobacco products, can all eventually leave stains on your teeth.
Teeth cleanings aren’t the same as professional whitening; they do remove surface stains that build up between visits. While some stains are faint or unnoticeable, many patients report seeing a brighter smile after a routine cleaning.
If you skip your cleaning appointments, stains will continue to accumulate and darken, making your smile look noticeably dull or discolored.
Small Problems Become Bigger Ones
Getting your teeth routinely cleaned is a safe and efficient way to ensure your oral health is in its best possible shape.
At your appointment, your hygienist will clean your teeth, and your dentist will examine your mouth for early signs of problems, including:
- Tooth decay
- Cracked or worn teeth
- Failing fillings or crowns
- Gum disease
- Oral infections
- Signs of oral cancer
Many of these dental issues don’t cause pain and are easily missed until they’ve become more advanced.
Catching problems early makes treatment simpler, less invasive, and more affordable.
The Effect on Your Overall Health
Your oral health and overall health are very closely related. Researchers have revealed that untreated gum disease has been associated with several health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and complications during pregnancy. While gum disease doesn’t necessarily cause these conditions, chronic inflammation in the mouth may be linked.
Keeping your gums healthy through regular dental cleanings is an important part of caring for your entire body.
How Often Should You Schedule Cleanings?
For most patients, dentists recommend cleanings every six months. However, some people may benefit from more frequent visits, especially if they have a history of gum disease, tartar, or a higher risk of tooth decay.
If you are unsure how often you should see a dentist, consult your dental professional; they can help create a plan that is best for your unique smile.
Protect Your Smile with Preventative Care
Skipping a dental cleaning may not seem like a big deal, but making a habit can have lasting consequences for your oral health. Plaque and tartar continue to build, cavities become more likely, gum disease can develop, and small issues can turn into major dental procedures.
A simple cleaning usually takes up to an hour and is a highly effective way to optimize your dental health. Building these habits now will have a great impact in the future. By visiting the dentist and maintaining good brushing and flossing habits at home, you can reduce your risk of costly dental problems while keeping your teeth looking and feeling their best.
If it has been longer than six months since your last dental cleaning, now is a great time to schedule an appointment. Our trusted team at Eubanks Family Dental offers treatment for the whole family! Contact us today to help avoid future dental issues. Our team will work hard to keep your smile healthy for life.
