What happens if you skip your dental hygiene appointment
You may not consider it uncommon to skip a routine hygiene appointment, but skipping just one appointment can have negative impacts on your oral and overall health even if you brush and floss regularly. Minor issues may go unidentified and become major issues, requiring more costly interventions. This is why dentists insist that routine hygiene appointments are essential to your oral and overall health. Generally, it is recommended that you have appointments every six (6) months, but this may vary from person to person. Your dentist can advise on the best routine.
When you skip your dental hygiene appointment, you risk plaque and tartar build-up, gingivitis, bad breath, and teeth discolouration. Missing a few appointments over more than 1-2 years risks gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and late diagnoses of possible oral cancer or diabetes, all of which will be much more costly to treat when identified later.
What happens at a dental hygiene appointment
A regular appointment will include a professional cleaning and a dental examination to ensure your teeth, gums, and surrounding area are in good health. This allows for the early identification and treatment of any issues before they become more serious. X-rays are not needed for every appointment, and your dentist will advise on this based on your overall oral health and history.
During the cleaning, your hygienist will:
• Remove built-up plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing miss and which can cause gum disease or decay;
• Polish and remove stains from teeth;
• Floss your teeth;
• Provide advise on brushing and flossing, especially any areas you have been missing
During the dental examination, your dentist will look for:
• Gum disease: gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, may be present even when your gums feel and look healthy. Without regular checks, gingivitis can develop into periodontal disease which can lead to jawbone and tooth loss. Research shows that people with gum disease are more likely to have heart disease.
• Oral cancer: your dentist will screen you for oral cancer at each visit. This is especially important for patients who smoke and drink regularly.
• Diabetes: there is a link between oral health and diabetes and sometimes your dentist may be the first to identify a person is diabetic.
• Tooth decay: your dentist can treat tooth decay and help to prevent large cavities and bad breath from developing.
Contact Us today to schedule your dental hygiene appointment visit.