Let’s face it: not many people look forward to visiting their dentist every six months. Some may have anxiety around dental cleanings; others may not have time; still, others are worried about cost.

However, avoiding the dentist for any reason could cost you in the long run in terms of all three of the above factors. You might need longer, costlier, less comfortable procedures should you not come in regularly.

So with that in mind, here are some reasons you shouldn’t skip the dentist.

To Clean Any Missed/Hard-to-Reach Spots

So you have excellent oral health habits: you brush two to three times per day, floss every day, and even use a mouth rinse. You’re careful about consuming sugar, coffee, tea, and wine, and you avoid smoking.

Yet even with the best habits, it’s hard to see into your own mouth. You may miss some spots here or there.

By going to the dentist, you can have a trained expert hunt these spots down and make sure they’re clean of all food particles and debris.

If your oral habits really are that good, then cleaning will be much faster, as there will be less to address.

To Catch Problems Early

Many dental problems rarely make themselves apparent until it’s too late.

For example, oral cancer can turn into a life-threatening disease if not diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages — yet you may not notice it until it’s too late.

Dentists are highly trained in spotting the first signs and symptoms of oral cancer. By going into your dentist’s office every six months, the chances of catching it and subsequently treating it successfully are much stronger.

Or perhaps you have impacted teeth in your gums. Wisdom teeth are the most obvious example of this. You can’t see these, since they are below your gums. Only a dentist will be able to spot these with x-rays.

Other dental problems begin as minor inconveniences but can turn bad if not properly addressed by a dentist.

For example, bleeding and swollen gums could be a sign of gum disease. Gum disease seems innocuous at first, but without the right course of action, you can eventually lose teeth and eventually parts of your jawbone.

To Learn More About Your Dental Health

The key to keeping your teeth, gums, and mouth in good health — aside from having a dentist look at them regularly — is to be informed. Your dentist can help you learn more about the health of your teeth and gums, and recommend additional things you can and/or should do to keep your oral health in tip-top shape.

We hope you are more informed about why visiting your dentist is important to living a healthy life. If you need a dentist in Philadelphia to take a look at and clean your teeth, come to Absolute Smile. All of our new patients get a free consultation, so book yours today!