What Happens If I Skip the Dentist?
Visiting the dentist every four to six months for a routine examination and cleaning might seem like a waste of time, but it isn’t. Discover what could happen if you skip out on your dentist visit.
Six Months: No Noticeable Problems
If there are no noticeable aches, pains, or problems, people often feel they can skip out on the six-month routine examination and cleaning. Unfortunately, dental problems that occur in the mouth aren’t always noticeable.
Some of the problems that start to develop if you choose not to visit a dentist include:
- Accumulation of plaque and decay
- Small cavities
- Minor gum disease that causes your gums to feel red, swollen, or achy
- Tooth sensitivity
These dental problems can become serious if they are left untreated. Luckily, they are easy to correct. A professional dental cleaning will often address issues such as plaque and decay, as well as minor gum disease. For more serious problems, such as tooth sensitivity or cavities, you may need a filling or root canal.
A Year: Gum Disease Becomes Noticeable
If you don’t visit a dentist for an entire year, your gum disease will progress and become more severe. Severe gum disease can cause you to experience everything from bleeding gums to shifting teeth, and even tooth loss. Tooth loss doesn’t usually happen after skipping the dentist for a year, but it is possible.
In addition to gum disease progressing, you may experience cavities caused by the accumulation of plaque buildup. They may have noticeable stains and discoloration and even appear duller.
While the problems you experience after skipping the dentist are painful and serious, they are still relatively easy to correct. A deep professional teeth cleaning, known as scaling and root planning, can help treat gum disease while fillings and root canals can help with cavities. Professional teeth whitening and professional dental cleaning can help remove stains and discoloration.
Two Years: Dental Problems Go from Minor to Severe
If you choose not to visit a dentist for two years, it is almost guaranteed that you will start experiencing severe dental problems. Common dental problems that are seen in patients who haven’t visited the dentist in two years include deep cavities, tooth damage, gum recession, and failure of previous dental work.
Correcting these serious dental problems will not only be costly, but it will be painful and time-consuming. Some of the dental procedures your dentist may recommend are dental fillings, root canals, replacement of previous dental work, and undergoing treatment for gum disease.
Five Years: Surgery May be Needed for Cyst Removal
All the problems that could happen after not seeing a dentist for two years will still be there at the five-year mark. Unfortunately, they will be more painful and severe.
Depending upon how severe your dental problems are, your dentist may not be able to just perform a filling or root canal. You may need to undergo restorative work. Restorative work includes dental implants, bridges, and dentures. Restorative work is needed as it will help build the strength of your teeth and replace any tooth that is severely damaged or missing.
Another issue that could develop if you don’t visit the dentist for five years is a cyst. If a cyst is not immediately addressed, you may have to undergo oral surgery to have it removed.
Ten Years: Teeth Become So Damaged They Fall Out
Expect to have extremely damaged and missing teeth if you skip out on seeing a dentist for a decade. The only way to correct missing or severely damaged teeth is with restorative dental procedures such as dental implants, bridges, or dentures.
Don’t Skip Out On The Dentist
Next time you think about skipping out on visiting the dentist, think of all that could happen. Our dentist in Melbourne, FL can help you correct and maintain your smile, no matter how long it’s been since your last dental visit. Contact us today!