What Happens If You Don't Have Your Teeth Cleaned?
Your family dentist recommends that you visit them for a cleaning and inspection every six months. However, it is a challenge to get many people to go to the dentist in general. The feeling is that if their teeth do not hurt, then there is no reason to go to the dentist. Here are some of the long-term consequences of deciding to avoid the dentist for your semi-annual cleaning.
Teeth Staining
There are a lot of daily habits that you have that can contribute to teeth staining. You may regularly drink dark liquids, like wine, coffee, or sodas. You may be a smoker with a habit that is hard to break. You may even love dark-colored berries and eat them on a regular basis. All of these things can cause your teeth to become stained on the outer layer. Regular cleaning will help remove these stains so that your teeth stay as white as possible.
Gum Disease
Having healthy teeth also leads to having healthy gums. After all, your gums are what provides the support for your teeth. Neglecting the health of your gums can eventually lead to plaque getting into the pockets along the gum line, which will cause gum disease. You'll suffer more issues with bleeding, discomfort, and overall soreness. Over time, gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
Plaque easily collects on your teeth throughout the day, and daily brushing is what helps remove it from the surface. However, poor brushing techniques will leave plaque behind in hard to reach places. This plaque eventually hardens and forms what is referred to as tartar. Once tartar forms, it is difficult to remove it on your own with regular brushing. Your dentist will help remove that hardened tartar during your regular dental cleaning, making sure to get it out of all those hard-to-reach places that you are missing with your toothbrush.
Bad Breath
Having all that plaque and tartar on your teeth is also going to contribute to having bad breath. If you have not gone to the dentist in a while, you may even notice that your bad breath doesn't go away with regular brushing. A professional dental cleaning will essentially remove anything on your teeth that could be causing odors and give you a fresh start on the road to better oral health.
Convinced that it is time to have your teeth cleaned? Make an appointment with a family dentist today.