Many people are scared of the dentist. They seize up in fear at the idea of someone they don’t know that well poking around in their mouth. As a result, they don’t go to their checkups and get the care they need. Although it seems like skipping out on your appointment might not be a big deal, it can have dire consequences. Let’s take a closer look at 5 bad things that can happen if you avoid regularly seeing your dentist in Manchester, NH.
1. You’ll Have a Higher Chance of Getting Cavities
Because your mouth is a warm, moist environment, it’s home to lots of bacteria, most of which are harmless and even beneficial. However, some of them produce a sticky film on the teeth called plaque. When you go without brushing your teeth for even as little as 12 hours, plaque hardens and turns into a substance called tartar that causes cavities. You can remove plaque on your own with a toothbrush, but only a dental professional can get rid of tartar.
2. You’re More Likely to Contract Gum Disease
Tartar can also cause gum disease, a bacterial infection that makes the gums red, swollen, and irritated, and bleed easily. When left untreated, gum disease can make your teeth become loose and even fall out. Gum disease has also been linked to several other health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, and dementia.
3. You’re at a Greater Risk for Oral Cancer
A cleaning isn’t all your dentist does at a checkup. He or she will also examine your mouth for signs of oral cancer. Catching this disease early means a higher chance of successful treatment. By neglecting to go to your checkup, you might develop oral cancer that goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
4. You Might Lose One or More Teeth
The goal of seeing your dentist every six months is to make sure everything is alright. A lot of dental health problems, like oral cancer and gum disease, don’t display symptoms until it’s too late to save your teeth. By attending your regular checkups twice a year, you can make sure you not only keep your teeth, but that they stay in good shape.
5. You’ll Need More Expensive Procedures
Catching problems early means that treatment is a lot less invasive and costly than it would be down the road. For example, a cavity is much more easily treated with a simple filling early on than it would be with a root canal once decay spreads to the inside of the tooth. A root canal also costs significantly more than a filling.
Seeing your dentist every six months can save you a lot of time and money in the future. It can also save your teeth and even prevent you from contracting diseases in other parts of your body. If you don’t have your next checkup scheduled, book one today.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Langlois is passionate about boosting his patients’ confidence in their smiles at Fromuth and Langlois Dental in Manchester, NH. He has attended the Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and has even won the Quintessence Award for his expertise in restorative dentistry. To learn more about how a checkup can benefit you, you can contact Dr. Langlois on his website or call him at (603)-644-3368.