What Happens if You Skip Your Dental Cleaning Appointment?

If you’ve skipped a dental cleaning appointment recently, you’re not alone. Busy schedules and dental anxiety often keep patients from following a regular schedule of dental visits. Unfortunately, even one missed tooth cleaning can have a major impact on your oral health. By sticking to your professional dental cleanings, your smile can look great and stay healthy. Keep reading for the risks of missing a preventive dental visit.  

The Accumulation of Tartar

Brushing and flossing can help keep the worst of plaque and tartar at bay, but only a professional teeth cleaning can remove the months’ worth of build-up that accumulates in between your dental visits. If left unchecked, plaque can lead to tooth decay, bacterial infections, and gum disease. These complications can cause pain and soreness, and they may even necessitate a dental extraction. By attending just one dental cleaning every six months, you can avoid these oral health problems.

Staining and Discoloration

You may have experimented with over-the-counter whitening products, but they often fail to deliver the stunning results you’re looking for. While a professional teeth cleaning doesn’t specifically address stains or discoloration, the removal of tartar will make your smile appear brighter. Your dental hygienist will also use a medical grade toothpaste to thoroughly clean and brighten your teeth during your appointment.

Disease Progression

In addition to cleaning your teeth, your dentist also checks for any signs of disease during your cleaning appointment. Oral cancer, gingivitis, or decay can be easily spotted and addressed if caught in their early stages. If these conditions are allowed to progress, they may require more intensive care.

Keep your smile healthy and beautiful with our professional teeth cleaning services at the practice of Dr. John R. Carson in Tucson, AZ. For more information on our oral health solutions or to schedule an appointment, call (520) 514-7203