What You Can Expect If You Do Not Visit Your Dentist for Regular Teeth Cleaning Services

If you see a dentist in Richmond, Virginia, regularly, you will likely hear from them every six months so they can remind you that you have an upcoming dental examination and cleaning. While you may sometimes feel that skipping this routine appointment is easier than fitting it into your busy schedule, Dr. Olivia Hart and her hygienist at Virginia Biological Dentistry are here to tell you that missing even one teeth cleaning can lead to oral health complications.

Skipping One Dental Cleaning

While it may seem like no big deal to skip a dental cleaning appointment, it really is. While you may think you are the best at brushing your teeth, you will still miss some plaque in your mouth. As time passes, any uncleaned plaque will transform into tartar, a much harder substance than plaque. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist who has the appropriate tools to do so. 

When left uncleaned, plaque can also collect along the gumline, leading to gum disease. Over time, uncleaned plaque and tartar will lead to tooth decay, gingivitis, and bad breath, among other issues. It might also affect the durability of your restorations, including implants.

Skipping Cleaning For a Year

If you skip two dental cleanings in a row, your unchecked gingivitis and tiny cavities will likely progress into worse states. What could have been treated with an easy dental treatment at a low cost will now require dental fillings and a deep cleaning (also called root planing and scaling)- all also much more expensive. Your cavities at this point could still be asymptomatic, but you may notice a sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. Your gums may also be bleeding at this point when you brush and floss. They could also appear red and swollen.

Two Years with No Cleaning

If you make it two years without getting a dental cleaning, your gums will likely have progressed to more severe stages of gum disease. They may have started to recede from your teeth, creating pockets and possibly bone loss. If you have not yet addressed the same cavities that have continued progressing, you may experience toothaches and lingering sensitivity, indicating that the decay has reached the tooth’s nerves.

As you can see, things can only worsen from here unless you follow recommended cleanings and do them at specific intervals. 

If you have not scheduled yet, it is time to make an appointment with Dr Olivia Hart’s office for a teeth cleaning by calling (804) 381-6238 today.

Dr. Olivia Hart
DDS, NMD, IABDM & ICOI Fellow & AAIP Fellow

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Dr. Olivia Hart, a founder of Virginia Biological Dentistry and a highly accomplished biological dentist, is honored to serve her community in Glen Allen, Richmond VA. She has always sought to enrich her knowledge in the field of holistic/biological dental health and to offer her patients the best comprehensive dental care possible. Her Virginia Biological Dentistry provides services ranging from biocompatible ceramic restorations, ceramic implants, and extractions with a biological protocol to treatments of sleep apnea, TMJ and other specialized bio-dental services.

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