February 28, 2025
Skipping a dental visit may not seem like a big deal, but over time, it can lead to serious problems. Many put off appointments due to busy schedules, dental anxiety, or the belief that their teeth are fine. Unfortunately, what starts as a minor issue can quickly turn into a painful and expensive problem.
Regular checkups help prevent these complications before they require extensive treatment. If you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy, staying on top of routine dental care is essential. Let’s look at what can happen when you keep on avoiding the dental office in Murfreesboro, TN.
The Importance of Routine Dental Appointments
Many people assume that if they brush and floss regularly, they can skip their dental checkups. While good oral hygiene at home is necessary, professional cleanings and exams are equally important.
Dentists can detect issues before they become painful or costly to treat. They can also provide preventive treatments, such as fluoride applications and sealants, that help protect teeth from cavities.
Regular checkups also allow for early detection of oral cancer, gum disease, and infections that may not present obvious symptoms until they become severe. Dental professionals use advanced tools and techniques to clean areas of your mouth that your toothbrush and floss can’t reach, reducing the risk of plaque and tartar buildup.
How Often Should You Visit the Dentist?
Most people should visit the dentist twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings. However, some individuals may need more frequent visits, depending on their oral health conditions. Here’s when additional visits are necessary:
- Patients with Gum Disease (Every 3-4 Months): Those with gingivitis or periodontitis require deep cleanings to prevent progression.
- People with a History of Frequent Cavities (Every 3-4 Months): High-risk individuals need closer monitoring and fluoride treatments to prevent decay.
- Diabetics (Every 3-4 Months): Diabetes increases the risk of gum infections and delayed healing.
- Smokers & Tobacco Users (Every 3-4 Months): Higher likelihood of gum disease, oral cancer, and staining requires more checkups.
- Patients with Dry Mouth (Every 3-4 Months): Reduced saliva increases cavity risk and bacterial infections.
- Orthodontic Patients (Every 6-8 Weeks): Those with braces or aligners need regular adjustments and oral health monitoring.
- Pregnant Women (Every 3-4 Months): Hormonal changes increase gum sensitivity and inflammation.
- People with a Weak Immune System (Every 3-4 Months): More frequent cleanings help prevent infections and inflammation.
A personalized dental schedule ensures optimal oral health, preventing minor issues from becoming major problems.
Common Dental Problems
1. Cavities Can Develop and Worsen
What It Is
Cavities are areas of tooth decay caused by bacteria that produce acid, eroding the enamel and creating small holes in the teeth.
How It Develops
When plaque builds up on teeth, bacteria feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that gradually wear down the protective enamel. Without regular cleanings and fluoride treatments, decay progresses deeper into the tooth structure.
Potential Complications
If not addressed, cavities can reach the dentin and pulp, causing pain, infection, and abscess formation. This can lead to the need for root canal therapy or even tooth extractio.
2. Gum Disease Progresses Quietly
What It Is
Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums caused by bacterial buildup along the gumline.
How It Develops
Plaque and tartar accumulate at the base of teeth, leading to inflammation and bleeding gums (gingivitis). Without professional cleaning, the infection spreads, causing deep pockets between teeth and gums (periodontitis).
Potential Complications
Advanced gum disease results in gum recession, bone loss, and loose teeth. Severe cases may require gum surgery or tooth extractions, increasing the risk of systemic health issues like heart disease.
3. Plaque and Tartar Buildup Gets Worse
What It Is
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria, and tartar is its hardened form that can only be removed professionally.
How It Develops
If plaque isn’t brushed and flossed away, it hardens into tartar, which traps bacteria against the teeth and gums. Tartar creates a rough surface that attracts even more buildup.
Potential Complications
Tartar leads to cavities, gum inflammation, and persistent bad breath. Excessive buildup also makes dental cleanings more difficult and increases the risk of periodontal disease.
4. Bad Breath Becomes a Persistent Issue
What It Is
Halitosis, or chronic bad breath, results from bacteria accumulating in the mouth.
How It Develops
Food particles, plaque, gum disease, and untreated cavities contribute to bacterial growth, producing foul-smelling compounds.
Potential Complications
Bad breath can be a sign of more serious oral infections. If not addressed, the underlying causes may progress into tooth decay, abscesses, or gum disease.
6. Tooth Sensitivity Increases
What It Is
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the protective enamel layer wears down, exposing the underlying dentin or nerve endings.
How It Develops
Cavities, gum recession, or excessive plaque buildup can lead to exposed dentin, making teeth more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods.
Potential Complications
If sensitivity worsens, it may indicate developing decay, fractures, or significant gum disease, requiring extensive dental treatments.
6. Oral Cancer Can Go Undetected
What It Is
Oral cancer is a serious condition that affects the tongue, gums, cheeks, and throat.
How It Develops
Risk factors include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, and HPV infections. Regular screenings during dental checkups help detect early signs.
Potential Complications
When left undiagnosed, oral cancer can progress to advanced stages, requiring aggressive treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Early detection significantly improves survival rates.
7. Your Overall Health May Suffer
What It Is
Poor oral health is linked to systemic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
How It Develops
Bacteria from gum infections can enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation throughout the body and increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
Potential Complications
Uncontrolled gum disease can contribute to cardiovascular issues, complications in diabetic patients, and weakened immune function.
Treatment Options for Common Dental Problems
Cavity Treatment Options
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to restore teeth with minor to moderate cavities. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and a filling material (such as composite resin or amalgam) is used to seal the area, preventing further decay and restoring function.
Root Canal Therapy
When decay reaches the tooth's pulp, a root canal is necessary. The procedure involves removing the infected tissue, cleaning the canal, and sealing it with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection. A crown is often placed to restore strength and function.
Cavities are treated based on their severity. Dental fillings restore minor decay, while root canal therapy is required for infections reaching the tooth pulp. Severe cases may necessitate tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant or bridge.
Gum Disease Treatment Options
Professional Cleanings
For early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, reducing inflammation and preventing progression.
Scaling and Root Planing
A deep cleaning procedure for moderate to advanced gum disease, scaling and root planing removes plaque from below the gumline and smooths the root surfaces to promote gum reattachment and reduce bacterial growth.
Early-stage gum disease can be reversed with professional cleanings and improved oral hygiene. Advanced cases may require scaling and root planing, antibiotics, or even gum grafting to restore lost tissue.
Plaque and Tartar Removal Options
Professional Dental Cleanings
Routine cleanings remove soft plaque and minor tartar buildup, preventing cavities and gum disease. Dentists use special tools to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Bad Breath Solutions
Professional Cleanings
Regular cleanings remove plaque and bacteria that contribute to persistent bad breath.
Antibacterial Mouth Rinses
Prescription or over-the-counter antibacterial rinses help reduce bacterial growth and freshen breath.
Treating Underlying Issues
Addressing cavities, gum disease, or infections eliminates sources of chronic bad breath and restores oral health. Addressing the root cause of bad breath may involve antibacterial rinses, professional cleanings, or treating underlying gum disease or decay.
Sensitivity Treatment Options
Desensitizing Toothpaste
Formulated with ingredients like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride, desensitizing toothpaste blocks pain signals from reaching the tooth’s nerves.
Fluoride Treatments
Professional fluoride applications strengthen enamel and reduce sensitivity by remineralizing weakened tooth surfaces.
Dental Bonding
A thin layer of resin is applied to exposed dentin or worn enamel, creating a protective barrier that reduces sensitivity and prevents further erosion. Dentists recommend desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride treatments, and dental bonding for exposed dentin. If caused by gum recession, gum grafting may be required.
Tooth Replacement Options
Dental Bridges
A bridge consists of artificial teeth supported by adjacent natural teeth or implants. It restores function and aesthetics while preventing teeth from shifting.
Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, bridges, or dentures to restore function and aesthetics.
Prioritize Your Oral Health and Visit Our Dental Office in Murfreesboro, TN
Dental checkups aren’t just about cleaning your teeth; they’re about preventing serious dental problems before they can even start. If you’ve missed an appointment, now is the time to get back on track. Stonetrace Family Dental offers comprehensive care to keep your smile healthy. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and protect your oral health for many years!
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