When was the last time you visited your dentist? You might think that if you’re not having any symptoms with your oral health that you won’t need to see a dentist. However, preventative care plays an essential role in protecting the health of your smile not just today, but in the future.
Avoiding the dentist can cost you more money and cause more harm than you think years down the line. Here’s why it’s never a good idea to skip those regular visits with your oral healthcare professional.
Neglecting Your Oral Care Can Cost More in the Long Run
One of the major reasons patients report not visiting the dentist is finances [1]. However, neglecting to see your dentist at least once a year—ideally every six months—can majorly impact your finances in the long run.
Think about it. Your natural teeth haven’t cost you anything, but getting a cavity filled, attempting to reverse gum disease, or even replacing a missing tooth can get expensive, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. Taking care of your oral health now can prevent all of these issues, saving you money and your oral health!
People Who Avoid the Dentist Have Poorer Oral Health
People who avoid the dentist as the result of dental phobia have poorer oral health and an increased risk for cavities and missing teeth [2]. Having dental anxiety or dental phobia is treatable, and many dentists today are offering sedation dentistry options to help make their patients even more comfortable during their appointment.
In addition, most conditions that result from lack of proper oral care require numerous treatments to fix—think gum disease or replacing missing teeth. These numerous visits can not only increase anxiety, but result in more time and money spent.
It’s Possible You Have Tooth Decay or Gum Disease Already
Skipping the dentist means you don’t have anyone checking in on your smile every few months to ensure everything’s fine. Life gets in the way, and next thing you know, you have several cavities. Statistics show that 18 percent of children have untreated cavities, as well as 26 percent of adults [3].
It’s also estimated that over 47 percent of adults in the United States have untreated gum disease, so chances are your smile could be suffering and you’re not aware of it. Having a professional check your smile could catch these issues before it’s too late!
Get in Touch with Your Dentist
Every smile is different and your dentist can advise you how often you need to come in for checkups. If you have a history of tooth decay and gum disease, you may need to come in more often, whereas some patients can go six to twelve months without needing to be seen.
Isn’t it time you invested in your beautiful smile to prevent problems (and costly reparations) down the line? Contact your local dentist today to set up an appointment and take care of your teeth and gums!
Sources:
1.https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Science%20and%20Research/HPI/Files/HPIBrief_111
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2017.361
3. https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/health-policy-institute/dental-statistics/patients
