You may not consider postponing or even skipping the occasional appointment with your dentist to be a big decision, but the truth is that regularly visiting your dentist will save you more than just your smile. And while it may seem trivial, avoiding these checkups can set you up for a problem you didn’t bargain, or budget for.
Avoiding Bad Dental Habits
Habits like teeth grinding, biting your fingernails, chewing ice, and brushing too hard can lead to irreversible damage to your oral health. Dentists can easily spot damage from bad dental habits and help you correct them before they advance.
X-Rays
Professional x-rays of your teeth and jaw bone help your dentist diagnose what’s going on below the surface. Without x-ray imaging, impacted teeth, bone decay, cysts, and tumors are impossible to see clearly. Especially with catastrophic diseases that present little to no symptoms but progress rapidly, an up-to-date x-ray may be the only way to preserve your health.
Gum Disease
Commonly known as gingivitis, untreated gum disease is an infection that destroys tissue and breaks down bone. Gingivitis is caused by plaque and tartar buildup and can lead to loosening teeth, and in extreme cases deep cleaning, surgery, and the need for medication. Regular cleanings will help to catch and treat gum gingivitis before it goes too far.
Tooth Loss
Cavities are nothing to take lightly, but coupled with gum disease, untreated cavities increase the chances of permanent tooth loss. Together, these two periodontal ailments can lead to teeth that are too weak to repair, leaving extraction as the only option.
Choosing the Right Treatment
Traditional braces or a clear aligner? Oral surgery or just a few fillings? What works for one patient may not work for another. Your dentist is there to provide a professional opinion to help you weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision possible. Through regular checkups, the dentist becomes familiar with you and learns what is best for your continued good oral health.
So remember, keep that appointment and visit your dentist even if you don’t have any signs of a problem. Because while they may sometimes seem inconvenient, regular dental visits will save you time, money, and ultimately, your smile.
Thirty Two & You is located at 1328 Broadway in Denison. For more information or to request an appointment, call, or follow the company on Facebook.