In the chaos of daily life, it is easy to skip your routine dental appointments, especially when your teeth appear to be in good shape. However, neglecting regular visits to the dentist can lead to serious oral health issues that might not be immediately visible but can cause long-term damage.
Dr. Elyse Dengler, Assistant Professor at UAB School of Dentistry, says you might want to think twice about skipping a visit to the dentist.
“The obvious reason to go to the dentist is so that we can check the teeth, but we also identify and fix problems. If left untreated, dental issues can get very serious.”
Dentists recommend seeing you every six months for a cleaning and checkup. If you skip regular dental cleanings, you miss out on the removal of plaque and tartar that cannot be removed by normal brushing and flossing at home. This not only keeps your breath fresh but gives you peace of mind that your teeth are healthy.
“In the United States, adults lose an estimated 243 million hours of work or school each year due to dental issues,” Dengler said.
Regular dental visits can help prevent serious problems that may require costly treatments later. By catching issues early, you can avoid more extensive and expensive procedures down the road. Prevention is often much more affordable than treatment.
“Oral health is connected to overall health. There are many diseases that are influenced by the mouth, and vice versa,” Dengler said.
Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and sleep disorders are all impacted by oral health. This means that maintaining good oral hygiene can play a crucial role in managing and potentially mitigating these conditions.
Dentists also check for potential abnormalities that are undiagnosed.
“Sometimes we find undiagnosed conditions. For example, your dentist will do an oral cancer screening to check for abnormalities in the mouth, neck, and throat,” Dengler said. “If something abnormal is found, your provider will recommend further testing or refer you to a specialist.”
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, consider making an appointment for a cleaning and checkup to ensure that your smile is healthy and that potential issues are caught early.
About UAB Dental Group
UAB Dental Group is a multidisciplinary faculty practice featuring dentists and specialists who provide care in a private practice setting. Our faculty practitioners include a wide range of general dentists as well as specialists in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. We provide all levels of general dentistry including routine cleaning, fillings, crowns and bridges, minor oral surgery, periodontal therapy, soft tissue diagnosis and treatment, complete dentures, and partial dentures. We also offer dental care in the specialty areas of Prosthodontics and Periodontics.