We all know that it is important to make regular visits to the dentist. Failure to take proper care for your teeth can be costly, painful, and harmful to your smile. Your Chandler Aquila Dental recommends you make visiting your dentist regularly a habit. However, according to an American Dental Association report, 42% of Americans do not regularly visit their dentist.

It is useful to know what happens during a dental visit and what can happen if you fail to observe this schedule.

What happens at dental checkups

There are two parts in a dental checkup; tooth cleaning and the checkup itself. These are vital for your overall oral health. Seeing your dentist for cleanings and a checkup every six months is recommended.

Cleaning

Before your doctor sees you, a dental hygienist will first clean your teeth. Even if you rinse your mouth after every meal and brush and floss twice a day, your teeth still require professional cleaning. Your doctor has special tools and employs procedures that are not available at home. While brushing and flossing may remove food particles from your teeth, they do not remove tartar.

Checkup

After your teeth have been cleaned, it is now time for your dentist to conduct a checkup. Your doctor will evaluate your overall oral health by inspecting for swollen gum, sores, and cavities. Your doctor may use an X-ray to see what is happening between your teeth and below the gum line.

What happens if you skip dental checkups

Unfortunately, you may fail to attend to your dental visits due to other commitments. Below are the things which can go wrong if you miss your appointment.

Health problems

You make more visits to your dentist than your general practitioner. This means that your dentist will be able to know when you have serious health issues, such as diabetes, before the condition worsens. Your doctor will be able to offer useful advice that can help you stay in good health. Missing your dental appointments puts you in a precarious position since health complications can manifest when it is too late.

Tooth Decay

When you go for a dental checkup, this allows your dentist to arrest cavities in a good time. It is simple to take care of cavities when they first appear, before they reach the nerves in the root of a tooth. Late detection of cavities may not help since the only option left may be extraction.

Gum disease

After your teeth have been affected by decay, your gums will be next. This worsens your oral health since gums provide support to the roots of the teeth. Gum infection, if left untreated, can corrode the jaw bone. This can also increase your risk of heart diseases and diabetes.

Stains

We all hope to have a perfect smile, with those milk-white teeth producing a dazzle that wows everyone. However, since you love your cup of coffee and like to use soy sauce on your chicken, it becomes hard for your pearly whites to avoid getting stained. Missing your dental appointments can also dent your appearance.