8 Health Risks Associated with Not Seeing a Dentist Regularly
Not seeing a dentist often is a bad idea, as it increases the total cost of dental treatments and harms your oral health. A dentist can spot problems and prevent them from turning into more significant issues down the road. Additionally, regular visits will help you avoid tooth decay, which has severe consequences if left untreated.
1. You are at Risk of Tooth Loss
Without regular visits to a dentist, you are at risk of losing your teeth. For example, if a large cavity doesn’t get treated, the decay will continue until it weakens the tooth and destroys the tissues. At this point, only dental implants can restore your smile and give you back the full functionality of your mouth.
2. You WIll Have an Increased Risk of Gum Disease
If you don’t take care of your teeth, you are at risk of developing gum disease. This condition results from poor oral hygiene, which can be prevented and somewhat treated through regular visits to the dentist. With proper care, you can keep your gums and teeth healthier for much longer.
3. You May Develop Teeth Discoloration or Cavities
If your teeth are not cleaned regularly, stains will form on them and make them look unattractive. The stains caused by plaque accumulation between the teeth can also lead to cavities. Cavities start small, but they keep growing until they turn into larger holes in the teeth, which will be very difficult to treat if left untreated.
4. You Will Not Get Oral Cancer Screening
If you don’t see your dentist regularly, you will not get oral cancer screening. It is a procedure used to detect early signs of oral cancer, as this type of cancer can be very hard to treat if it isn’t detected in the early stages. There are no symptoms that indicate oral cancer and that’s why many people experience this condition quite by accident. For example, they may go to the dentist for treatment of another issue and it is only then that they learn they have oral cancer.
5. You Have an Increased Risk of Other Health Disease
The bacteria that form in your mouth can affect other parts of your body, including your heart and lungs. If you don’t take care of your oral health, you are at risk of developing serious medical conditions and infections. For more info, please visit sugarcreekdental.com.
6. You May Develop Halitosis
Halitosis is a common term that refers to bad breath that some people don’t seem to control. The bacteria in your mouth are linked to halitosis and help contribute to the problem. If you brush and floss regularly, you will be less likely to develop halitosis.
7. You Are at Risk of Expensive Dental Procedures
Not visiting a dentist often may require expensive dental procedures, including crowns and bridges. These procedures can cause real damage without treatment, as your teeth won’t have any support or structure.
8. You Face Increased Risk of Tooth Decay
You are at risk of developing tooth decay if you don’t see a dentist regularly. This problem causes cavities that can lead to tooth loss and other health issues like heart disease or diabetes.
Not seeing a dentist often increases the total cost of dental treatments by hundreds if not thousands of dollars. You are also placing your health at risk and ignoring your oral hygiene, which can cause significant damage down the road. Regular dental checkups can ensure that you stay healthy and keep your smile intact.
