You need to visit your dentist for regular check ups! You must have heard this sentence numerous times in your life but people forget to talk about the why. This article aims to inform you of WHY you need to keep on top of your dental hygiene. After all, it is fair to appreciate that everyone needs a reason to be doing something and visiting your dentist is no different.

What Happens if You Put Off Visiting the Dentist?

In the past visiting the dentist may have been an ordeal but in today's world developments in technology mean that dentist's can perform very complex procedures with very little discomfort to their patients. If you do visit your dentist for regular check ups then this is even more so the case. Whereas if you decide to avoid your dentist like the plague then you may be building up a much more severe illness that will not be so straight forward to treat! Here are some pits that you may find yourself digging should you avoid seeing your dentist on a regular basis!

1. Your teeth may fall out

One of the things you certainly don't want to happen is for a tooth to fall out. Sometimes, in the case of an impact this can be unavoidable. However, if you don't look after your teeth then small problems can lead to a big gap in your smile. This can be the result of various issues ranging from periodontal disease to tooth decay. If you happen to lose a tooth then you will have to eventually visit the dentist anyway to get a costly replacement. If visiting the dentist is inevitable then you may as well go before things get out of hand!

2. The tooth hurts

The truth does hurt when it comes to avoiding the dentist. A small toothache that doesn't seem too bad can soon develop into an agonising beat of pain in the affected tooth. You may feel pain whilst chewing food or you may feel some sensitivity to different temperatures. These can all be signs of toothache and potential future issues. The quick fix is to take a painkiller obtained from your local chemist. However, this only covers up the issue. As soon as the painkiller wears off you will feel the pain again and as it the issue has not been addressed the pain is likely to be even worse. If you start to feel any discomfort then your best course of action is to get in touch with the dentist for expert advice. Check out this article to find out when your toothache may be considered something that needs urgent attention.

3. Gum Disease

Gum disease, otherwise known as periodontal disease, is a very common issue that can be incredibly detrimental to your oral health as well as your general health. This type of disease doesn't just crop up out of the blue. Rather, it is most often the result of prolonged neglect to your teeth and gums. One of the obvious signs of periodontal disease is bleeding of the gums or regular pain in the gums. If you leave periodontal disease untreated then more serious problems can arise. This can vary from painfully inflamed gums or to actually losing your teeth. There has also been evidence to support the idea that other issues such s heart disease are more likely to hit people with gum disease. So keep those gums healthy!

4. Hefty hits to your bank balance

Avoiding the dentist is merely a temporary tactic. Nobody can avoid the dentist forever. That is if you want to have any teeth left at all. What does this mean? If you turn up to the dentist with a wealth of problems then it make take lots of treatment to bing your oral health back up to standard. Here's a prime example of how you can save money in the long term. Say you have developed a cavity in one of your teeth. It's starting to hurt. If you chose to go to the dentist then you would simply require a filling. This would be fast and painless. But it would also be of little expense to you. However, if you put off getting your cavity treated then not only will you put yourself through more pain but by the time you are in enough pain to urge on your visit to the dentist you may have to go for a more complex procedure such as a root canal. This will be a prolonged and more expensive treatment that could easily have been avoided. Visiting the dentist once every 6 months keeps you in great oral health so that none of these issues arise. This is the way to keep your dental visits simple, quick and painless.

5.It's not just your teeth at stake

Studies have brought forwards evidence supporting a link between gum disease and different health risks including heart disease.When plaque forms in your gums it doesn't stay there. It can, in fact spread to other parts of your body. Hence, you need to control plaque and bacteria build up at its source, your teeth and gums. New research has also found links between dental diseases and other diseases such as; diabetes, dementia, breathing issues and cancer. Although the correlation is still being researched it is obvious to see that looking after your teeth and gums is vital if you are to keep your overall health in check.

6. Your dentist can remove stains

The dentist not only checks your teeth for their condition but they will also clean your teeth. This will reduce staining build up of your teeth. As you live your life, your teeth are under attack from many staining agents. Whether you smoke, drink tea or coffee, or eat particular foods, some staining is purely unavoidable. Regular visits to the dentist mean that your teeth can be given a regular deep clean which keeps stains to a minimum and keeps your smile looking white and fresh.

7.You could develop bad breath!

Bad breath is a very embarrassing thing to have. It can make you feel self-conscious even just talking to others. Although a poor diet can be a cause of bad breath or halitosis this is not the only factor. Dental problems can also be a major factor in the development of bad breath. Issues such as gum disease and tooth decay can both add an unpleasant odour to your breath and so regular dental check-ups are important to keeping this at bay. Of course you still need to do your part in maintaining good dental hygiene! If you need advice or attention for halitosis treatment then we do offer a fresh breath clinic to help bring back your fresh breath.