Many people take for granted the good that a professional dental cleaning does, but the truth is that it’s essential to your dental health. Some people might wonder why they should see a dentist when they feel no pain, but the cold hard reality of skipping your preventive dentistry appointments is both painful and gross, and can also lead to a slew of health issues. Read on to learn about the oral health consequences of blowing off a dental cleaning.
Why Should I Go to the Dentist if I Don’t Feel Any Pain in My Teeth?
The first stage of a tooth infection is usually a cavity. This happens when the bacteria in your mouth begin to eat through your enamel, often resulting from chronically poor oral hygiene. Since the enamel doesn’t have any nerves in it, you won’t feel the cavity at first. A cavity will not just go away on its own and is usually impossible to detect by the untrained eye, but a routine dental cleaning every six months can catch and treat it.
If left untreated, a cavity will erode its way through the enamel and dentin layers until it breaches the pulp of the tooth which hosts blood vessels and nerve endings. It can take months to get to this point, but when it does, you can be certain that you will feel the resulting toothache. This infection may require a root canal or, in rare cases, an extraction.
What Makes Gum Disease So Bad?
By skipping your dental visit, you are not only missing out on your dentist cleaning away the bacteria on and between the teeth, but also the germs beneath the gumline where brushing and flossing can’t reach. Without this cleaning, accumulated bacteria can cause redness and inflammation called gingivitis.
If left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontal disease. At this point, the bacteria begin to eat away the tissue connecting your gums to the roots of your teeth. Eventually, the infection can extend to and break down the jawbone beneath the gums, resulting in tooth loss. Making matters worse, these bacteria can ride the bloodstream throughout the body, causing potentially fatal secondary infections. It can also lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
When it comes to dental health, what you don’t know can hurt you. Luckily, a dentist knows how to catch these problems before you know they’re there during a routine dental visit. Preventive dentistry is absolutely necessary, and keeping up with it will set you up for a lifetime with a healthy smile.
About the Practice
South Ridge Dental focuses on providing personalized and proactive dental care to the community of Lincoln, NE. Led by Drs. Ryan and Steven Shaffer, the staff provides spectacular customer service in a comfortable and judgment-free environment. Services include preventive, emergency, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. If you’d like to set up regular teeth cleanings, contact the office online or dial (402) 423-1616.