Don’t put off Going to the Dentist

Louisville, KY

Lots of people put off going to the dentist for many reasons. For some, they feel as though they do not have enough time or are unable to take time off from work. Others may avoid the dentist because they previously had a bad experience or are scared that their visit will be painful. You may even believe that going to the dentist is only necessary if your teeth hurt or you have an obvious dental problem like a broken tooth that needs fixing. Regardless of where you fall on that spectrum, here are four reasons that you shouldn’t put off going to the dentist.

1. It makes maintaining healthy teeth and gums more challenging.

Routine dental visits like cleanings and exams twice a year are preventive ways to maintain your oral health. Even though your teeth may not be giving you any problems, you still need them cleaned and examined at least once every six months. Everyone gets tartar buildup, which is a hard substance that adheres to your teeth. While you’ll still need to commit to daily brushing and flossing, those habits alone are not quite enough to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Safely removing tartar buildup during routine dental cleanings is the best way to prevent harmful oral bacteria from causing gum infections, bad breath, and tooth decay. Plus, during these visits, we document any changes to your oral health so that if any problems arise, we can address them as soon as possible, which almost always results in a more favorable outcome instead of waiting until the condition is at its worse and your options are limited.

2. Your risk of gum disease increases.

Never going to the dentist to receive preventive treatments could increase your risk of gum disease, which is a serious oral condition that leads to inflamed, bleeding gums, bad breath, and eventually tooth loss if not cared for properly. Gum disease has also been linked to other systemic inflammatory diseases like a higher risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Therefore, your best chance at maintaining healthy teeth and gums, as well as reducing your risk of gum disease is to see the dentist regularly. Additionally, gum disease has four stages. The first stage is gingivitis, which about half of American adults have. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral care and dental treatments. However, if left to progress, gingivitis develops into gum disease, which eventually can lead to devastating consequences for your oral health if not managed with the right treatments.

3. You have a greater chance of experiencing tooth loss.

Poor oral health significantly increases your risk of tooth loss. Gum disease and untreated cavities are active oral infections that progress without treatment. Eventually, these conditions could put you in quite a bit of discomfort and cause you to lose one or more teeth. It is best to address dental concerns when they first arise so that the tooth can be saved with restorative treatments. Waiting until it is too late often results in the need to remove the damaged tooth.

4. You’re more likely to need extensive and expensive treatments.

Just like your car’s engine, you can’t drive the same car for years without ever performing any preventive maintenance like oil changes. Our oral health is similar. You can’t expect to maintain healthy teeth and gums if you aren’t following through with the recommended maintenance, which are dental cleanings and checkups twice a year, and brushing and flossing daily. Unfortunately, rarely going to the dentist or not adhering to a daily oral hygiene regimen often results in needing more extensive treatments that cost more. Therefore, you’re better off, in the long run, maintaining your oral health and sticking to the recommended preventive oral care treatments than waiting until your mouth hurts or there is a significant dental concern.

Family Dentists in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and Louisville and Shepherdsville, Kentucky

At Exceptional Dentistry, we believe in preventive oral care to help patients maintain healthy teeth and gums. It all starts with your commitment to follow through with a daily oral hygiene regimen but also should include twice-yearly dental cleanings and exams. We are proud to offer dental cleanings and exams for your entire family. To learn more about preventive oral care or if you are ready to schedule an appointment, please contact Exceptional Dentistry by calling (502) 423-7868.