Regular dental cleanings play a vital role in keeping your smile healthy. Unfortunately, many people delay these visits or skip them altogether. While it may not seem urgent at first, regularly skipping dental cleanings can lead to lasting oral health problems. Understanding what happens when professional cleanings are missed can help you make informed decisions about your long-term dental care.
The Risks of Skipping Dental Cleanings
When you skip dental cleanings, plaque and tartar buildup begin to accumulate on your teeth and gumline. This buildup raises your risk of cavities by allowing bacteria to damage tooth enamel over time. Plaque hardens into tartar, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing alone.
As plaque and tartar build, the gums can become inflamed, leading to gum disease. Early-stage gum disease may cause redness, bleeding, and bad breath, while advanced stages can result in bone loss, infection, and tooth loss. Over time, untreated gum disease significantly increases the risk of serious oral and overall health problems.
Skipping cleanings also means your dentist may miss early signs of decay, infection, or oral health changes that are easier and less costly to treat when caught early. Routine cleanings help prevent these issues before they become painful, complex, and expensive.
Gentle Preventive Dental Care in El Dorado Hills, CA
If you’re in El Dorado Hills and want to learn more about the risks of skipping routine cleanings and how preventive care protects your smile, contact Dr. Mohamad Taisir Albik and the caring El Dorado Family Dental team to schedule an appointment.