What Happens if You Skip Your Dental Exams and Cleanings?

What Happens if You Skip Your Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Jul 01, 2023

A healthy smile boosts confidence and makes an incredible first impression. Achieving a healthy smile requires regular visits to the dentist for exams and cleanings. However, most people skip these appointments. Read on to find out some reasons for attending all your dental exams and cleanings in Oshawa, ON.

What Are Dental Exams and Cleanings?

They are procedures performed by a dental professional in a dental office setting. Dental exams and cleaning ensure kids and adults achieve and maintain proper oral health. Attending regular dental checkups also impacts your general health and well-being.

Dentists schedule the checkups every six or three months, depending on an individual’s oral health. The visits should start once a child has their first tooth or reaches the age of one. A dentist tailors each visit to accommodate the patient’s needs and age.

What Happens During Dental Exams and Cleanings?

Your dentist in Oshawa will perform various procedures during dental exams and cleaning. They will begin by cleaning your mouth thoroughly. Professional teeth cleaning involves scraping off all plaque and tartar from the mouth. In addition, the dentist will floss your teeth and perform a fluoride treatment. They will also provide tips for better oral health.

The exams involve looking at the teeth, jaws and gums to ensure they are healthy. Your dentist will use dental X-rays and intraoral scans to view all areas of your mouth. Other procedures performed are checking your bite and screening for oral cancer. The expert can also examine your mouth to check for issues like diabetes and heart problems.

Risks and Consequences of Skipping Dental Exams and Cleanings

Most people visit a dentist in Oshawa when they have oral health problems only. Consequently, they refuse to attend the checkups since they appear okay. Some do not prioritize regular dental exams and cleaning, causing them to miss appointments.

Although it may not seem important, you should not skip regular dental exams and cleanings. When you do, you expose yourself to several risks and consequences. Below are some disadvantages of not attending all the sessions.

  1. Plaque and Tartar Buildup

The dentist professionally cleans your mouth during regular checkups. They help you get rid of plaque and tartar from hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. If you do not attend dental exams and cleanings, plaque and tartar will accumulate. They affect the mouth negatively, leading to serious oral health issues. Tartar can only be removed through professional teeth cleaning.

  1. Gum Infections

When tartar accumulates on the gum line, it causes inflammation resulting in gum disease. Untreated gum disease progresses and becomes severe. It eventually leads to bone and teeth loss.

  1. Decay and Caries

Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that wear down the enamel causing it to become thin, weak and brittle. As a result, the tooth will become susceptible to decay and dental pulp infections. A decayed or infected tooth causes intense pain affecting your quality of life.

  1. Increased Risk of Tooth Loss

Skipping regular dental exams and cleanings increases the risk of tooth loss. For instance, if plaque and tartar accumulate, you can get decay and gum disease. Severe decay causes teeth to weaken and become prone to infections. Advanced gum disease affects the jawbone and tissues and ligaments anchoring the teeth. As a result, you will lose your teeth.

  1. Missing Oral Cancer Symptoms

During the visits, your dentist will look for signs of oral cancer. If they notice any symptoms, they will begin treatment immediately. This reduces the risk of oral cancer progressing and becoming fatal. However, missing appointments increase your risk of oral cancer.

Importance of Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings

Attending regular dental exams and cleaning has several benefits. Below are reasons you should consider scheduling regular dental checkups at Conlin Dentistry.

  1. Regular checkups and cleanings help the dentist prevent oral health problems. For example, dental cleanings can prevent tooth decay and gum infection.
  2. They also allow the dentist to detect and treat oral diseases before they worsen. An example is oral cancer screening and early treatment.
  3. Regular visits to the dentist help you learn and cultivate healthy oral habits. The dentist in Oshawa will advise you on proper oral hygiene techniques and diet.
  4. Getting regular cleanings help keep your smile whiter and more attractive.
  5. The dentists provide preventive care, which can save you money in the future. For example, regular cleanings prevent cavities eliminating the need for crowns or fillings.

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