Posted by Dr. Thomas Flavin Apr 22,2022
Most people neglect their dental health and dentist visits when they are busy or stressed out. However, it is important to visit your dentist regularly to prevent dental issues.
There are many reasons why you might want to schedule an appointment with your dentist after a long time of being away from the office. Here are a few of them.
Even if you haven’t had any issues with your teeth lately, you still need to see a dentist regularly for a checkup and cleaning. Regular checkups are important because they allow your dentist to catch problems before they become severe and more expensive to fix. For example, if the dentist notices some tooth decay during cleaning and is able to treat the issue before it turns into an infection, you are less likely to need a root canal or extraction later on.
Similarly, if you have gum disease and you do not see your dentist for regular cleanings, the infection can spread to other parts of your mouth, including your jaw and your neck, resulting in the need for surgery.
Plus, most dental insurance plans cover routine dental care like exams and cleanings. So even though you might feel like you can skip these appointments to save money, you’re actually wasting money by not getting the care you need. By visiting the dentist for preventive care, you will be saving money in the long run as you won’t be dealing with any expensive procedures in the future. They are also able to advise you on how you can improve your oral care routine at home for best results, including which tools to use to clean between teeth and how to clean teeth in general.
Teeth shift as we age. This can affect the alignment of your teeth, which can, in turn, affect the appearance of your smile. If teeth are crooked, they are more likely to become discolored because they aren’t being cleaned properly when you brush them. Also, misaligned teeth can cause issues such as tooth grinding. And if you have suffered tooth loss, you might not have the teeth necessary to chew your food properly. Visiting your dentist can help you choose the best new options for restoring your smile.
To learn more, contact Healthy Smiles of Saint Louis at 4224 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63109, or call (314) 832-1366.
Save time by completing your new patient forms and sending them to us online or bring them with you to your first visit.