Dangers of Skipping Dental Cleanings

Putting off a dental cleaning may seem tempting when life gets busy, but making a habit of it is not a good idea. Regular cleanings are vital to keeping your mouth healthy, and dentists recommend them for good reason. Skipping too many dental cleanings can be costly for your oral health and wallet.

About dental cleanings

During a typical dental cleaning, a dental hygienist uses special tools to remove plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth and around the gum line. This is typically followed by flossing and polishing the teeth. The standard recommendation is to have a dental checkup and cleaning once every six months. However, some may need a cleaning more often, while others may only need one once a year.

Perils of missing dental cleanings

Dental cleanings keep the mouth looking and feeling healthy and help prevent serious dental issues from developing or worsening.

Tooth decay

Without regular cleanings, tooth decay can often go unchecked. Tooth decay results from plaque and tartar buildup on a tooth's enamel. Also known as cavities, tooth decay starts by forming barely noticeable holes in the enamel. However, as the cavity progresses, it starts to affect deeper layers of the teeth, such as the dentin and pulp.

Once the cavity reaches the pulp, the tooth becomes infected, and the dentist may need to treat it with a root canal or extraction. However, cavities are much less likely to form with regular cleanings. Also, with regular checkups, a dentist can catch a cavity early when it is easier to treat.

Gum disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease can be a serious consequence of missing too many dental cleanings. The plaque and tartar buildup that leads to tooth decay can also inflame the gums and cause them to pull away from the teeth. If left unchecked, gum disease continues progressing and threatening the underlying structures supporting the teeth. This process can lead to tooth loss and other oral health problems.

Luckily, patients who have regular dental cleanings can decrease their risk of developing gum disease. Good home dental hygiene combined with regular dental cleanings can even reverse gum disease in its early stages. Healthy gums lead to healthy teeth, better breath, and a healthy-looking smile.

Increased dental costs

Skipping dental cleanings may save a little money in the short term, but it can cost patients more in the long term. As tooth decay and gum disease worsen, they lead to oral health problems that are significantly more costly to treat. Tooth repair and replacment or gum surgery can run hundreds or thousands of dollars. Therefore, if someone is concerned about keeping dental care costs down, their best move is to keep up with regular dental cleanings.