If you have anxiety about seeing the dentist or if you’re just really busy, you may be tempted to skip your next dental exam and cleaning. While this might seem like it’s not a big deal, forgoing your dental appointments can allow unseen oral health issues to progress until they become major problems. Here’s why it’s so important to see your dentist regularly in addition to practicing proper oral hygiene.
Tooth Decay Can Be Invisible to the Untrained Eye
Tooth decay is an unfortunately common health problem across the world, but it can usually be prevented with excellent oral hygiene that includes regular dental appointments. If your dentist catches tooth decay in the pre-cavity spot stage, it can usually be reversed. However, tooth decay will not get better on its own once a cavity forms, and it will only get worse if left untreated. If it isn’t resolved soon enough, it will eventually infect the pulp at the center of the tooth, causing a miserable toothache, tooth loss, and possibly dangerous secondary infections like sepsis.
Gum Disease Is an Insidious Threat
Gum disease is also an incredibly common health problem that can be prevented with the proper care. It begins as gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums that can usually be reversed with improved oral hygiene. However, if allowed to progress it will become periodontitis, which causes permanent damage and requires professional dental attention to be resolved. Periodontitis can result in gum recession, bone loss in the jaw, tooth loss, and potentially life-threatening secondary infections like pneumonia or sepsis.
Your Dentist Can Tell You What You Need to Know
During your dental appointment, your dentist will do more than just clean and inspect your teeth. They will also take the time to advise you on better oral hygiene practices while educating you on what oral health problems you should be looking out for. They will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have as well as point out any oral pain or other mouth-related troubles that you’d like them to have a look at.
Your dentist is your teeth’s best friend, so they should see a lot of each other. By keeping on top of your regular dental appointments while practicing excellent oral hygiene, you can help keep your smile in great shape for life.
About the Author
Dr. George A. Hoop earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the Emory University School of Dentistry, where he also completed his periodontal specialty residency. He pursues further training through the Pikos Institute, the Misch International Implant Institute, the Dawson Academy, and the Pankey Institute. His offices in Fort Myers and Naples, FL offer general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To schedule your next exam and cleaning, contact him online.