6 Reasons Not To Skip Preventive Dental Visits

Preventive dentistry is the practice of caring for your teeth to keep them healthy and free of disease and decay. This involves brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentists for regular cleanings and exams. By practicing preventive dental care, you reduce the chance of poor oral health and dental issues. Practicing preventive dentistry also saves you time and money. Here are the major reasons why you should never skip your dental visits. 

• Preventative care keeps your teeth healthy

Preventative care helps stop small problems from becoming major (and expensive) dental issues. By getting regular checkups, your dentist is able to spot problems early on, allowing you to prevent further damage to your teeth. Your dentist can detect early signs of oral disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Regular checkups can also identify signs of bruxism or teeth grinding, which can cause dental damage. During your preventive dental visits, your dentist will also check for signs of oral cancer when the condition is easier to treat. 

• Preventive dental care keeps your breath fresh

A fresh, vibrant smile can improve your confidence and self-esteem. Preventive dental care helps keep your breath fresh by keeping your teeth and gums clean. Brushing and flossing at home is essential, but it's even more important to have your teeth professionally cleaned. Regular dental cleanings will remove any buildup that brushing and flossing at home don't reach.

• Preventive dental care helps you avoid tooth decay 

Tooth decay is the leading chronic disease among children in the United States. Tooth decay, also called cavities, can cause pain, lead to tooth loss, and result in costly treatments. However, cavities are 100 percent preventable with dental cleanings, which remove plaque and tartar from your teeth. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in your mouth feast on the sugars and starches in foods and drinks. If left unchecked, this bacteria will eat away at your enamel, creating holes in your teeth. Your dentist can detect early signs of cavities using digital X-rays, which show any changes in your teeth.

• Reduce the risk of gum disease

Gum disease is a common infection that is caused by plaque buildup. When plaque is not removed, it builds up and hardens. Over time, it turns into tartar and can only be removed during a professional cleaning. When the infection reaches advanced stages, it can destroy the gums and supporting bone structures. Teeth may become loose and fall out. Preventive dental checkups can help reduce the risk of gum disease or prevent it from occurring. 

• Preventative care keeps your smile beautiful

By preventing dental problems from occurring and addressing dental issues in their initial stages, preventive dental care can help maintain the aesthetics of one's smile and keep it beautiful.

• Preventative care saves you money in the long run

Skipping preventive dental visits may not seem like a big deal, but skipping checkups and cleanings can actually cost you more in the long run. Some patients think that they can skip a checkup if their teeth feel fine. Unfortunately, by the time most patients feel dental pain, the problem has often progressed to a point where it becomes more expensive and harder to address.

PS Dental in Tigard, Oregon, offers the best dental care services to patients. For more details and appointments, call us at (503) 574-4000 or visit us at 12017 SW 70th Ave, Tigard, OR 97223.