Brushing your teeth and flossing are important parts of good oral care, but so is visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Many people feel that if they take good care of their teeth, they don’t need to visit the dentist for a professional cleaning. But, here are just a few things that could happen if you don’t pay a visit to your dentist twice a year.
Your Teeth Will Decay
Brushing your teeth and flossing them daily helps control plaque, a substance that is formed by food particles and bacteria that latch on to your teeth. However, if you don’t get a professional cleaning on a regular basis, plaque can start to build up and eventually lead to tooth decay no matter how often you brush your teeth. This decay can create the need for implant dentistry services and more later on and cause bad breath.
Gum Disease
If tooth decay is left untreated, it can cause gum disease. Your gums protect your teeth and their roots from bacteria. But, if you’re not treating your teeth properly, bacteria can attach to your gums and cause them to bleed and swell. This will eventually cause you to exhibit symptoms of gingivitis.
Remove Unsightly Stains
Everyday activities like drinking coffee or wine can cause your teeth to become stained. When your teeth are yellow and unsightly, it can inhibit the beauty of your smile. Regular professional dental cleanings can help prevent stains on your teeth. If stains require more advanced removal techniques, a dentist is the person you’ll want to talk to about undergoing a whitening procedure.
Easier to Detect Health Problems
Sometimes, when visiting the dentist, they can detect symptoms of serious health problems. These may include oral cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and even kidney failure. Dentists frequently discover some of these health issues simply because people see them on a more regular basis than their primary care doctor.
Your teeth are an important feature, so it’s vital that you take care of them by regularly brushing and flossing at home. But you also need to take care of your teeth by seeing your dentist on a regular basis. This will help ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible and look good at the same time. Plus, your dentist may even help discover important underlying health conditions that need your immediate attention. Be sure to visit your dentist and consult with them about your oral health on a regular basis.
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.