Many people who experience anxiety or even fear at the thought of visiting the dental office often skip out on their routine cleaning appointments. The same can happen for busy parents and businesspeople! Unfortunately, even missing one dental cleaning can have consequences. Read on to learn five reasons why you shouldn’t skip a dental cleaning and checkup.
You Won’t Receive an Oral Cancer Screening
At each of your bi-annual dental checkups, you receive a thorough oral cancer screening. These may only take a couple of minutes to complete, but for some people, especially those with histories of using tobacco products, these examinations can be lifesaving. They’ll examine the inside of your mouth as well as your tongue, throat, neck, and lips. If any abnormalities are spotted, your dentist can refer you for additional testing. The goal is to diagnose the issue as early as possible to ensure a full recovery and successful treatment!
Gum Disease Prevention & Diagnosis
Gum disease is one of the most common oral health problems in the nation as well as the leading cause of tooth loss. The longer it goes untreated, the more dire the effects of the issue. Your dentist aims to diagnose and treat the signs of gum disease as early as possible to reverse the infection. And, if you don’t have gum disease, routine cleanings will ensure it stays that way!
Leaving Oral Health Issues to Progress
When small dental problems like the early signs of cavities aren’t addressed as they arise, it can lead to them progressing and causing permanent damage to your smile. It can also require you to need more extensive and costly treatments down the road. Routine dental checkups and cleanings aim to prevent minor dental concerns from leading to more serious consequences for both your health and your wallet.
Dental Insurance Benefits Will Be Left Unused
Did you know that your dental insurance likely covers 100 percent of the cost of two checkups and cleanings a year? If you don’t use them, they’ll disappear, meaning you won’t be getting the most out of your investment in insurance.
You Won’t Have the Reassurance of a Clean Bill of Health
After you leave each of your dental cleanings, you’ll be able to go home with a clean bill of health. This means that the only oral health concern that you would need to worry about experiencing is a dental emergency, like if you crack or chip a tooth due to an accident or trauma. Additionally, your dentist can provide you with other preventive services, like an athletic mouthguard, to ensure that your risk of encountering a problem before your next visit is slim.
About the Practice
At Lake Boone Dentistry in Raleigh, our team of dentists includes Dr. Matt Ricke and Dr. Harding Douglas, two highly skilled and compassionate experts dedicated to building lasting relationships with their patients. From checkups and cleanings to more advanced procedures like dental implants, our dentists offer virtually every treatment you could need under one convenient roof. To schedule your routine dental appointment, visit our website or call 919-781-8610.