5 Reasons You Shouldn't Delay Seeing the Dentist

Dental health is important. However, many people still find themselves putting off that twice-annual visit. Reasons such as inconvenience, fear or finances are often cited as the reasons for the delay in oral hygiene appointments, but in the long run it never works in your favor to neglect a trip to the dentist. Here are some things to remember about just how important it is to keep your visits consistent and on time.

1. A visit to the dentist now can save time, money and trouble in the future.
When talking about the dentist a good rule of thumb is: the longer you delay, the more you pay. What could have been a simple teeth cleaning can develop into a more invasive procedure, such as a cavity filling, if not taken care of in a routine manner. So while you may have been trying to save money in the short-run by skipping that scheduled visit, in the long-run you may end up paying much more. You can save yourself a lot of time, money and discomfort by catching things early or better yet, preventing problems right from the start. 

2. If you wait until there is pain, it is probably already a pretty serious problem.
An unfortunate reason that some people put off going to the dentist is that they simply don't think anything is wrong with them. It can be difficult to know what is really going on inside our mouths and as long as everything feels normal and painless, it is easy to assume there is no reason for concern. The truth of the matter is that once you do feel pain, you probably not only have a problem, but a significant one. By visiting the dentist long before you feel any sort of pain you are giving your mouth the best protection against any issues that could arise. 

3. A healthy mouth is connected to a healthy body.
Believe it or not, a healthy mouth is key to having a healthy body. If your mouth gets an infection, it's very possible that infection can spread through the rest of your body. The American Academy of Periodontology provides information on how conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and even premature births can be traced back to gum disease.

4. Even denture wearers need to be seen regularly for disease prevention.
Having dentures doesn't make you exempt from dentist check-ups or immune to oral infections. Regular dental visits are still necessary to make sure the dentures continue to fit correctly and to help repair any minor issues such as denture clicking or mouth irritation. Taking care of your dentures can help them last longer and save you money in the long run. As your dentist, we will also check for signs of oral diseases, such as cancer, because we care about more than your teeth. We want to ensure your overall health.

5. You deserve peace of mind and the confidence of a sparkling, clean smile.
The last reason you shouldn't put off regular dental visits is simply how good it will make you feel. No one likes to play the “what if...” game with themselves, especially when it comes to their health. Keeping up a consistent schedule of dental visits will give you peace of mind, knowing you are taking care of your teeth. You’ll also get the side benefit of enjoying that tingly clean, fresh feeling of having just seen the dentist.

So do yourself a favor and schedule two yearly dentist checkups. If you know the time for a dental care appointment is coming up, the Fuqua Advanced Dental team is ready to take care of you. Whether it is for a general and preventive, cosmetic, or specialized prosthodontic care, we are confident we can put any concerns you have about the dentist to rest and provide an appointment worthy of your smile. Contact us today to set up a time or request an appointment online.