It is normal for your mouth, the digestive tract’s entry point, to contain bacteria, most of which are harmless. However, some of these bacteria, like Streptococcus mutans, can cause dental problems and other diseases, some of which can be irreversible. Hence, it is crucial to maintain proper dental hygiene through regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth properly after every meal. Yet, following such a regular dental routine is not enough to maintain optimum oral health. 

Ideally, you need to regularly visit your dentist to identify and rectify dental issues early that may lead to tooth loss or other complications if ignored. Moreover, such visits can help you learn more about maintaining preventive dental care to ensure your teeth stay strong and healthy.

If you are in the habit of putting off your visit to the dentist, it is time to rethink and schedule your dental checkups timely no matter how young you are. This will ensure good oral health and decrease the risk of developing oral diseases with increasing age. And if you have been diagnosed with any oral disease, then diligently follow what your dentist says!

We highlight in this article the benefits you can obtain through frequent checkups and explain what complications can arise from not scheduling regular dental visits.

No matter how much you undermine the benefits of routine dental examinations, they do help maintain strong teeth and gums and reduce the risk of expensive treatment later on. Read the points below to understand what all benefits you can derive from regular dental checkups:

• Prevent gum diseases: Regular dental checks can catch early signs of gum disease like bad breath, tender gums, bleeding, swelling, and tooth sensitivity. Timely intervention and deep cleaning can stop gum diseases like periodontitis in their tracks and boost your gum health.
• Avoid tooth loss: Checkups with the dentist and regular dental cleanings for plaque removal can help you avoid aggravating dental problems to the point where removing one or more teeth becomes necessary.
• Prevent cosmetic issues: Detecting dental issues in time can prevent cracked, stained or chipped teeth that can affect your appearance and confidence. 
• Identify other diseases: Visiting your dentist helps identify early signs of asymptomatic diseases like impacted wisdom teeth and diabetes before they turn into severe painful issues. Early diagnosis decreases the risk of complications while boosting the chances of quick recovery.
• Receive proper at-home dental care advice: At your dentist’s clinic, you can learn more about dental care routines, such as the right way to brush or floss. Your dentist will even recommend personalized care routines for your teeth tailored to your specific dental issues.
• Get peace of mind: When you visit your dentist regularly, you get the opportunity to discuss any specific dental issues you suspect you may already have. It removes anxiousness from your mind and boosts your self-esteem since you know that your dental health is in safe hands.
• Enable early cancer treatment: Consistent oral screenings detect signs of oral cancer at its onset, increasing the probability of successful treatment options and full recovery.

The longer you delay a visit to your dentist, the more damage you suffer because everything is not visible externally about your oral health. Let us have a look at some of the complications that can be avoided with regular dental health:

1. Tooth decay

Plaque buildup cannot be just removed by brushing. It can attack your teeth, causing complications like tooth decay and even tooth loss. Plaque, filled with damaging bacteria, can lead to gum problems, discolouration or tooth enamel decay. Regular cleaning of teeth can help you reduce your plaque buildup and its further complications. 

2. Gum disease 

Have you noticed blood while brushing? Many times we tend to ignore this. It is important to note that neglecting tender, inflamed or bleeding gums can leave you prone to gum diseases like periodontitis. Excessive plaque buildup leading to tartar formation also causes periodontitis which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

3. Oral cancer

Dental screenings facilitate early detection of oral cancer, especially in high-risk groups like smokers, heavy alcohol drinkers, or people who chew tobacco. Ignoring dental checks can cause it to intensify, reducing the chances of survival.

4. Other diseases that can arise due to neglect of oral health

• Inadequate dental care may lead to the worsening of cardiac issues like endocarditis
• Symptoms of diabetes can worsen because of inflammation arising from gum disease
• Brittleness of bones is another condition that is believed to be closely related to gum diseases like periodontitis
• Bacteria buildup in periodontitis can aggravate the discomfort of people suffering from respiratory illnesses
• Mental decline in conditions like Alzheimer’s has been linked to poor dental health

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5. Tooth discolouration

Certain foods and drinks like coffee, colas, and potatoes can cause a gradual discolouration of teeth. Discolouration can also indicate health problems like calcium deficiency or liver disease. A dental visit can confirm if your discoloured teeth are due to food or are signs of other health issues, and if possible, they can help you restore the white colour of your teeth.

We are sure you must have understood how investing a few dollars and an hour a year can save you from a lot of dental complications. Plus, it helps in leveling up your oral hygiene - something that matters a lot when it comes to confidence and your personality. 

The importance of regular visits to your dentist cannot be stressed enough. Managing your oral hygiene with frequent dental check-ups prevents dental complications that can be quite expensive to fix. Even if you have been neglecting your oral health for a long time, it is never too late to resume good dental practices with the help of your dentist. 

At MacArthur’s state-of-the-art dental clinic, our skilled dental specialists provide comprehensive, convenient, and comfortable care, all under one roof, preventing the need to visit multiple specialists.   

We leverage the latest technology, including equipment like digital X-rays and Cone Beam CT Scanner, to quickly assess your oral health and inform you about your treatment options. Our specialists are well-trained to ease your anxiety, enabling a hassle-free dental experience that leads to positive outcomes.