It’s understandably difficult to prioritize preventive dental care when it seems like your teeth and gums are fine. After all, why spend time and money on your regular dental checkups and cleanings when your smile looks and feels fine? Unfortunately, most oral health issues can easily develop unnoticed and lead to far larger, more painful, and more complicated issues if not caught by your dentist. Here are threeproblems you’re putting yourself at a higher risk of by skipping a dental cleaning or checkup.
1.) Cavities and Infected Teeth
Tooth decay is by far the most common oral health issue. In fact, experts report that it’s the second most common disease after the common cold! Cavities take months and months to form and burn through your enamel. If you see your dentist every six months, the cavity can be caught right away and filled. However, if it’s left untreated, the decay can continue to advance until it reaches the inner layers of your tooth. Not only can this be incredibly painful, but it can cause serious dental infections that require invasive treatments like root canal therapy or even extractions.
2.) Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Well over half of the American population has some level of a bacterial infection in their gum tissue known as periodontal (gum) disease. It’s caused by a buildup of plaque and bacteria around the gumline, which is often the result of lazy brushing and flossing. If your dentist notices early warning signs of gum disease like red, puffy, inflamed, or easily bleeding gums, they can take preventive action right away to treat and reverse the condition. The longer it goes undetected, the worse the infection will get and the more damage it will cause. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the US, largely because many people ignore it until it has caused permanent damage.
3.) Expensive Dental Issues
Some people choose to skip their regular dental checkups and cleanings thinking that it will save them money. While skipping a dental cleaning or checkup occasionally may save you a few dollars, it may end up costing you much more in the long run! Routine visits to your dentist dramatically lower your risk of a dental emergency and are essential for spotting and stopping small issues before they become larger, more expensive issues. Research indicates that for every dollar spent on preventive dental care, up to $50 can be avoided on restorative or reparative treatments later.
Do your smile and your wallet a favor by getting dental checkups and cleanings twice a year. If it’s been more than six months since your last appointment, schedule a visit with your dentist to ensure your oral health is on track!
About the Practice
Dr. Tommy Murph of American Dental Care firmly believes that the best way to handle oral health problems is to keep them from developing in the first place! That’s why he encourages all his patients in Conway and the surrounding communities to come in for their regular checkups twice a year to get the excellent, long-lasting preventive care they deserve. He and his talented team have the experience, talent, and state-of-the-art technology to help you overcome whatever issue is standing between you and a happy, healthy smile. To schedule your checkup, feel free to contact him via his website or at (843) 488-4357.