We all know that it is important to visit a professional dentist every six months for a dental exam. However, it is common for people to only visit a dentist when experiencing a problem. If you visit a dental practitioner regularly and choose the best oral care products, you can avoid some of the issues of neglecting your oral health. So what happens when you fail to visit the dentist? When you avoid the dental practitioner, you open yourself up to the possibility of the following problems:

Plaque Buildup

Plaque is the bacteria and sugars that form in the hard-to-reach parts of your mouth. If you do not get rid of the plaque from your teeth, it eventually turns into tartar. Tartar forms around the gumline and is a yellow/brown color that makes your teeth appear dirty. That is why you should schedule a professional deep cleaning appointment twice a year to remove plaque from your teeth.

Tooth Decay

Plaque also eats away your enamel, thus causing tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay leads to expensive and lengthy treatment plans. It can also lead to bad breath, thus affecting your confidence when talking to people around you. Luckily, routine dental appointments allow a dentist to remove the plaque that your daily brushing does not remove.

Tooth Loss

Tooth decay often leads to eventual tooth loss which can cause several problems. This is especially when you take too long to treat the condition. That is why it is crucial to schedule bi-annual dental care appointments. A professional dentist will use x-rays to detect bone and gum recession that might lead to tooth loss. The dentist will establish a solid plan to address the problem before it worsens, which will probably include an inlay or an onlay.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an adverse infection caused by bacteria that collect around the teeth and gums. When you miss regular dental checkups, you are less likely to detect and treat the disease in its early stages. Without early treatment, the disease becomes irreversible, thus leading to adverse health issues such as stroke or heart attack.

Cavities

Cavity is often permanent damage caused by bacteria eating through the protective outer layer of your teeth. It might start as a small hole, but it can progress into a larger cavity when left untreated, presenting a more challenging treatment or tooth loss. When you avoid the dentist for a long time, you maximize the likelihood of cavities.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer screening is one of the best things about regular dental checkups. A dentist can see the warning signs of various oral health concerns and tailor the best solutions to keep the problems at bay in the very early stages.

Adverse Health Problems

Oral health is linked to your general wellbeing. During a regular dental examination, a dentist will also look for warning signs of various health problems. Some of the problems linked to oral health include stroke, breast cancer, and diabetes. Luckily, early detection helps treat the conditions before they become more life-threatening.

The Bottom Line

Regular dental checkups are vital to maintaining great oral and general body health. Seeing your dentist at least twice a year is key to preventing adverse oral health problems, as discussed above. If you are within Austin and its environs, Austin Dental Specialty will help you get on track to improved oral health.