Hectic schedules and the general hustle and bustle of life can make it easy to postpone a dental appointment. The next thing you know, you are suffering from an unbearable toothache since over six months have passed since your last checkup.
Seeing a good dentist in Montclair, CA is important, especially for your oral health. There are too many unpleasant consequences that could occur if you don't go to the dentist every six months, including hindering your confidence to flash a winning smile.
"When it comes to oral health, prevention is key," stressed Victoria Veytsman, D.D.S. to RealSelf. "Seeing your dentist regularly for routine checkups and cleanings can prevent bigger issues down the road. Regular cleanings prevent gingivitis and plaque buildup, and checkups can detect cavities when they are just beginning. A good oral care regimen includes seeing your dentist twice a year — this will ensure your mouth is healthy and prevent dreaded procedures like root canals in the future." It is safe to say that every dental practitioner in the world agrees with these statements, including our own specialists here at Cunning Dental.
What Happens When You Don't Go to the Dentist
If you have been neglecting the dentist near you, then you might experience some distressing symptoms. Below, Cunning Dental Group and dentists from across the United States compiled a list of problems that can develop as a result of skipping your dental appointments.
1. Plaque Buildup
One of the first problems that arise when you don't go to the dentist is the buildup of plaque, which can then harden into tartar. Daily brushing and flossing helps remove a thin layer of film on the teeth. However, a professional cleaning is necessary to remove buildup in hard-to-reach areas. Opting to skip regular dental cleaning appointments, especially if you do not practice good oral hygiene, can cause plaque to accumulate on your teeth.
2. Tooth Decay
"Tooth decay can begin as simple as a small cavity," says Leslie Townsend, D.D.S. Left untreated, tooth decay can cause a slew of health issues, including pain, bad breath, and even tooth loss. Detecting issues early plays a significant role in stopping the spread of decay.
3. Gum Disease
Even when there's no pain, red and swollen gums are a common sign of gingivitis — the earliest stage of gum disease. "If you're not getting checked up regularly and this persists, you could be in for more serious and expensive issues down the road," says Dr. Kyle Stanley. Without proper treatments such as dental scaling and root planing, gingivitis can worsen and progress into periodontitis, which is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
4. Tooth Loss
A persistent misconception is that tooth loss is something only older adults experience. In truth, young adults aged between 20 to 34 have an average of five missing teeth. Routine visits to your dentist in Irvine, CA can help detect and treat decay, gum disease, bone recession, and other oral health issues that can lead to eventual tooth loss.
5. Bad Breath
The accumulation of plaque and tartar in your oral cavity can cause an unpleasant breath. Dr. Frank Farrelly explained that "even in the absence of periodontal [gum] disease, there can be halitosis or bad breath due to their [plaque and tartar] presence in the mouth." Build up of the end products of their digestive cycle, such as sulphur, causes this foul odor in the mouth.
6. Cavities
Because of the thriving bacteria in your oral cavity, it is widespread knowledge that among the most common consequences of skipping your dental visits is having cavities. A small cavity is one of the easiest and swiftest dental problems to address. However, if you keep delaying your trip to the local dentist, then your small cavity will turn into a big one, which can then lead to a root canal or crown restoration.
7. White Tongue
Bacteria that accumulates in your mouth can cause a white coating to form on your tongue. If its appearance persists for longer than a week, it is best to seek immediate medical assistance since a white tongue may signal leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral thrush, and syphilis.
8. Tooth Discoloration
The buildup of plaque, tartar, and bacteria on your precious teeth can cause some displeasing cosmetic effects. For example, your teeth can become dark and yellow due to stains from food, beverages, smoking, and neglected decay. Scheduling regular teeth cleaning services can help maintain your pearly whites and keep them free of unwanted discoloration.
9. Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a serious disease that affects about 53,000 Americans each year. Furthermore, this life-threatening malignancy kills around one person per hour everyday, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation.
Similar to most cancers, early detection is the best way to significantly improve patient survival rates and quality of life. "Your dentist should do an oral cancer screening every six months," says dentist Dr. Bill Dorfman.
10. Disease in the Body
Did you know that neglecting your oral health increases your risk of developing diseases in other areas of your body? The mouth has a direct connection to other systems of the human body, as well as a surprising range of illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, and many others. "Think of your mouth as the gateway to your body," says Townsend.
11. Dental Abscesses
Over time, poor oral hygiene practices and lack of professional teeth cleaning sessions can cause plaque to spread inside the soft tissue of the tooth or gums, eventually resulting in an abscess. Without treatment from a dental specialist in Southern California, the infection may spread to your jaw or other areas of the head and neck. Developing sepsis is another possibility. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that spreads throughout the body.
Your overall health depends on visiting the dentist at least once every six months. If you can barely remember the last time you had your teeth checked, then now is the time to schedule an appointment with a top dental office in Southern California. Contact us now before any of these problems arise or worsen.
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