Preventive dentistry isn’t necessarily the most exciting aspect of oral healthcare. It’s easy to get people excited about veneers or Invisalign, but it can be hard to rouse the same enthusiasm for checkups and cleanings.
However, skipping dental cleanings can have serious consequences for your smile. Here’s what can happen if you miss out on a regular checkup.
Why are Regular Cleanings Necessary?
While most people take it for granted that seeing your dentist for professional cleanings is a good idea, it may not be immediately apparent why that’s the case. After all, most people clean their teeth every day anyway—why do you need a dentist to do it?
The answer is that there are places in your mouth that are difficult, if not impossible, to reach on your own. There are places under your gumline and in the back of your mouth that a toothbrush and dental floss can’t effectively get to.
That’s also presuming that you are as thorough as you can be with your dental hygiene. However, most people naturally have elements of their daily routine that isn’t perfect. Getting a cleaning from your dentist allows them the opportunity to clean in places that you can’t on your own. They can also advise you on any areas of your oral hygiene that can be improved.
What If You Skip a Dental Cleaning?
As you may know, bacteria in the mouth tends to bond together into plaque deposits, which you may be able to feel on your teeth if you haven’t brushed your teeth in a while. You should be able to clean up these plaque deposits by brushing and flossing.
However, as was mentioned before, there are probably some areas of the mouth that aren’t cleaned to the extent that they should be. After a while, plaque deposits in these places may harden into tartar, which you can’t clean on your own.
Even missing a single cleaning can create more tartar deposits, allowing bacteria to flourish and increasing your risk of developing gum disease. For that reason, you should make an effort to get to preventive care appointments.
About Our Practice
At Quiet Corner Dental, we’ve been providing excellent oral healthcare to our community for over 20 years. In all that time, our goal has remained the same: to help our patients get beautiful smiles that can last them a lifetime. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, we can put together a comprehensive treatment plan that will help you get your oral health back on the right track.
If you have any questions about dental cleanings, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (860) 928-3723.