Life is busy, and oftentimes visiting the dentist for check-ups and cleaning can get put on the backburner. Even if you practice a good oral hygiene routine and haven’t noticed discomfort or anything out of the ordinary, skipping a dental cleaning can have very negative consequences for your mouth. Keep reading to learn why your Fort Lauderdale dentist says you should always prioritize seeing your dentist on a regular basis.
What Can Happen if You Skip a Dental Cleaning?
Your dentist is an expert at what they do, and that means they can catch things you might not notice. Even if your teeth seem to be perfectly healthy to you, it’s very important to let your dental professional examine your mouth and deep clean your teeth on a regular basis. Here’s why:
Your Teeth Can Develop Cavities
When a cavity first starts decaying a tooth, it is virtually unnoticeable to the naked eye. It would also be so small, that you likely wouldn’t even feel any discomfort or tenderness until it had caused significant damage to your tooth. Your dentist has a trained eye and a view of your teeth that you don’t. They also have special tools that can help to remove plaque build-up that your toothbrush can’t. Seeing them on a regular basis to identify potential decay before it goes too far is crucial.
The Risk for Periodontal Disease Increases
Most everyone knows that taking care of their teeth is important, even if they don’t practice the best oral hygiene. What a lot of people don’t know is that gums are just as important to care for. Your gums are responsible for not only holding your teeth in place, but they also protect them from harmful bacteria that can cause infection and eventually result in jawbone deterioration. Even if you floss daily, seeing your dentist so that they can rinse and properly deep clean your gums will keep them from developing issues down the road.
It Could End Up Costing You More Money and Time
If you have ever avoided the dentist out of fear of going, you can be sure you’re not alone. It is estimated that 60% of Americans avoid the dentist for that very reason, however, a potential motivator could be the strain it can put on your wallet and time. If potentially serious dental issues aren’t caught by a dental professional in time, they can get worse, resulting in more extensive and costly treatments.
Seeing your dentist on a regular basis is extremely important to your oral health. Your teeth work hard for you every day by helping you eat nutritious foods, have great conversations, and so much more. Be sure to take care of them so that you can continue to enjoy your life to the fullest!
About the Author
A Florida native, Dr. Alan Kellner earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in Philadelphia. After that, he completed his residency at the State University of New York in Stonybrook. Following his father’s footsteps, Dr. Kellner returned to Florida and now takes great pride in providing top-tier dental care to his patients in Fort Lauderdale. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kellner, you can contact his staff through his website.