Getting your teeth cleaned at least once a year doesn’t seem like a huge chore, yet so many people
neglect to schedule their regular checkup at the dentist.
Regardless of what’s holding you back from visiting your dentist, keep in mind that there are few things
scarier than the consequences of skipping your annual teeth cleaning. Consider the following health
risks before you decide to forgo that essential dentist appointment!
Gum Disease
With nearly half the adult population of America having some form of gum disease, this might seem like
a common problem that’s not a big deal. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
Gum disease happens when plaque from inadequate oral care builds up around your gum tissue and can
cause inflammation, bleeding, and infection. Without treatment, gum disease is one of the leading
causes of tooth loss in older adults.
In addition, the inflammation and bacteria present in gum disease have been linked to many other
health conditions. From heart disease to diabetes to cancer, research is finding more and more that gum
disease could be linked to disease within the body.
Tooth Decay
Without a professional cleaning, it’s highly unlikely you’re reaching all the areas in your mouth that you
need to in order to remain plaque-free. When plaque is allowed to build up, it can turn into tartar, which
can only be removed by a dentist.
Tooth decay is an unfortunate result of unmanaged plaque. By skipping your annual cleaning, plaque is
allowed to harm your tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities that will need professional treatment.
Having cavities isn’t just inconvenient—it’s damaging to your oral health and can be costly as well. With
a simple professional cleaning, you can help prevent cavities and enjoy a smile free of tooth decay.
Teeth Staining
Besides helping to prevent gum disease and tooth decay, regular cleanings help lift surface stains out of
your tooth enamel. Through regularly removing these stains, your smile remains as bright as possible
without additional treatment.
Although your regular oral care habits at home can help remove stains daily as well, a professional
cleaning can more effectively get rid of those stains. In addition, skipping your cleaning can allow stains
to build up, which can make it harder to remove them later on, even with a professional teeth
whitening.
Greater Risk of Unhappiness
Recent research suggests that skipping regular dental appointments could lead to poorer quality of life,
as people who avoided the dentist tended to have cavities, gum disease, and missing teeth, therefore giving them more anxiety and less happiness about life due to their compromised smile.
Instead of being anxious about your smile or depressed about missing teeth, simply schedule a dentist
appointment at least once a year to keep your smile as healthy as possible!
When was the last time you saw the dentist? Your dentist plays a crucial role in keeping your smile
healthy and disease-free—and who doesn’t want that? No matter how long it’s been since you’ve had a
professional teeth cleaning, reach out to your local dentist today to reveal your beautiful smile!
