What Happens When You Skip Dental Cleanings

When life gets busy, you may decide to let some things slide. But your regular dental cleanings are too important to skip.

You may not realize just how important regular cleanings are. That’s because they include more than just cleaning your teeth. Regular cleanings help you establish a relationship with your dentist, which allows them to monitor changes in your teeth. The providers at Dental Art of South Bay explain more about why dental cleanings are so important.

What happens during cleanings

Dental cleanings are important for a number of reasons. Certainly, you will leave with a fresher-feeling mouth and whiter teeth, which always feels great. But more happens during your cleaning as well.

During a standard dental cleaning, your hygienist will scrape off the plaque and tartar that have built up since your last cleaning. In addition, you may get X-rays, which show what can’t be seen under the surface. X-rays can detect the following:

• Developing cavities 
• Decay beneath existing fillings
• Bone loss that can indicate gum disease
• An abscess that requires emergency treatment
• Changes in the bone or in your root canal, which results from infection

Clearly, dental cleanings do a lot more than just clean your teeth.

Other things that happen during cleanings

The dentist will also check your gums for emerging signs of gum disease (also called periodontal disease).

The dentist may stick a small probe in between each of your gums and measure the depth. The further they can stick the probe into the gums, the greater the likelihood that you are developing gum disease.

Check for preparedness for cosmetic dentistry

During a dental cleaning, the dentist may also evaluate your teeth for cosmetic dentistry. Cosmetic procedures can drastically transform your smile. Some of the procedures that we may recommend include:

Invisalign®

Invisalign® is a system of custom-made thermoplastic trays that you switch out every couple of weeks. As an alternative to traditional metal braces, Invisalign is clear and virtually unnoticeable, especially from a distance.

Invisalign can straighten your teeth as well as close gaps. You may be surprised by the changes we can make to your smile with this system.

Veneers

Dental veneers can cover a wide range of imperfections in your smile. While most people start first with professional teeth whitening, veneers are the next step if whitening doesn’t achieve the dramatic results you’re seeking.

Veneers can give you the dazzling Hollywood-worthy smile of your dreams, addressing other issues such as chips in your teeth as well as gaps. 

Dental implants

If you have missing teeth, dental implants are a stable, permanent solution. Implants are comfortable and are indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

Keeping up with regular dental cleanings is important for your oral health. They allow the dentist to keep track of issues you may face with your teeth and respond to them as quickly as possible. Failure to maintain regular dental cleanings can result in expensive dental work later, which may be preventable with earlier detection.

If you’re overdue for a dental cleaning, it’s never too late to schedule an appointment. Contact us or request an appointment online today.