If going to the dentist isn’t a top priority and something that you view as something you’ll get around too along with vacuuming under your furniture, changing your car oil, etc, then you may want to read this post. Even though these are things you may not want to do and keep putting off, they are things you absolutely need to do.

Now, you may be wondering, what happens if you put off going to the dentist for a lengthy period? In most cases, dentists usually recommended that you get an evaluation and cleaning about twice per year so that they can look at your dental health, see if you have cavities, get rid of tartar and plaque, etc.

However, if you are unable to visit your dentist twice per year due to the cost or because of the pandemic, then there are things you can do to improve your dental health in the meantime. It is possible to take care of your dental health by drinking lots of water, flossing every day, reducing how many sugary foods and drinks you consume, and brushing your teeth twice per day.

Your oral health is dependent on you and we will now take a look at what may potentially occur if you delay going to your dentist for a long time. As a side benefit, I would highly recommend that you see teeth bleaching.

Not going to the dentist for 1 year

So, if it has been a year since you’ve been to the dentist, you may be wondering what may be happening with your dental health.

According to Gargano, you may be getting new cavities. If you already have small cavities, then these may be getting bigger or you may be developing gum disease or periodontal disease which can cause gingivitis. This can easily happen if you eat sweets regularly and don’t brush your teeth as much as you should. Gingivitis along with cavities can easily cause you to have bad breath. So, if you’re brushing your teeth or chewing gum and it doesn’t help, then this is a clear sign.

Not going to the dentist for 2 years

If it has been about two years since you’ve been to a dentist, then your cavities may have significantly worsened and would not be fixed by a filling. According to Gargano, many patients may have pain and sensitivity and may require a root canal along with a crown in order to save the affected tooth. This happens because the tooth was regularly exposed to sugar, acid, and bacteria for a long time and this can easily lead to tooth decay much more easily than if you were getting regular cleanings.

Dealing with this is a lot more costly in comparison to fillings. Also, when it comes to periodontal disease, this will continue to worsen and lead to bone loss which can then become periodontitis. This destroys the bone, soft tissue, etc.

Not going to the dentist for 5 years

You may think that you wouldn’t allow 5 years to pass before visiting the dentist, however, this can happen quite easily. However, it is a bad idea.

After five years have passed, cavities would progress significantly and require a root canal or may even need extraction according to Gargano. Also, the progression of bone loss can also cause tooth loss.

It is very important that you visit your dentist twice per year so that they can evaluate your dental health as well as fix cavities early before they can reach a bad state.

Tim