Many people avoid the dentist because dental services are supposedly expensive and painful. They think that by brushing their teeth twice or thrice a day and flossing regularly, they are avoiding many teeth and gum problems. But going to the dentist is more than just about keeping your teeth clean. There are many reasons skipping a dental appointment may lead to more complications.
Issues in your oral health can eventually lead to bigger problems that will require oral surgery in Salt Lake City or another city in Utah. If it’s bad enough for you that you need to visit the dentist for regular teeth cleaning, what more would an oral surgery be? One of the drawbacks of not going to the dentist regularly is facing bigger oral health problems in the future.
Prevent Tartar Buildup
No matter how good you are at brushing your teeth, you’ll leave debris of plaque and tartar on your gumline and between the teeth. These are the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. A dentist will use an ultrasonic power scaler to scrape away the buildup of plaque and tartar. You can see an improvement in your gum health when you have regular teeth and gum cleaning.
Prevent Gingivitis
Your gums provide cover and protection for your teeth and its roots. When there’s a buildup of bacteria on your gums, it can cause swelling and bleeding. Aside from being highly uncomfortable, this condition can also lead to gingivitis and further to a periodontal disease that will require heavy and painful treatment.
Prevent Health Problems
Unknown to some, there are many health problems that can be detected from the condition of your teeth and gums. A probe by a dentist can reveal serious health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease. Early detection is important to prevent the worsened condition and huge medical bills.
Prevent Stains
If you’re a heavy caffeine drinker, expect that there can be stains on your teeth. Cigarette smoking can cause this, too. This creates an unattractive smile and may affect the way you do your job and even your personal relationships. You will feel differently about yourself and insecurities can come to the surface. A regular visit to the dentist will help prevent this from worsening. The dentist can give you advice on how to keep your teeth stain-free.
A regular trip to the dentist can save you a lot of trouble in the future. Understandably, people are painfully afraid of going to a dentist either because of the fees involved or the possibility of finding out that they have bigger oral health problems. Still, this is no reason you should skip your dental appointments.
Make it a habit to visit your dentist at least once every six months. This will help in the early detection of gum problems, tooth decay, and other more serious diseases. If you need help overcoming your fear of the dentist, bring someone you trust with you or talk to your dentist about it.
