What will happen without treatment ?

When you skip a thorough cleaning at the dentist office, the plaque trapped in those hard-to-reach-places will harden into tartar. Tartar is difficult to remove with at-home brushing and flossing. The dentist will have additional equipment that will better remove the tartar. Even the best at-home dental hygiene practices will not prevent plaque from being left on teeth and accumulating.

The build-up of plaque and the formation of tartar will lead to tooth decay if not treated by a dentist. Tooth decay can lead to a mess of other dental health issues including bad breath and ultimately tooth loss.

Tooth loss can be the result of either advanced, untreated tooth decay or advanced, untreated gum disease. Regular visits to the dentist will help prevent either of these unpleasant oral health issues from progressing to the point where tooth loss occurs.

It can be easy to forget about the health of your gums, especially if they aren’t painful or causing any kind of discomfort. Gingivitis, or early stage gum disease can be present even in red and swollen gums that feel fine. Patients who don’t visit the dentist risk their gingivitis turning into the much more serious periodontal disease. It is common that patients with advanced stages of periodontal disease experience jaw bone loss and tooth loss. Regular visits to your dentist allows a dental professional to perform an early diagnosis to catch and treat gingivitis at an early stage.

All the bacteria, plaque and tartar build up in your mouth will lead to less-than-pleasant smelling breath. Bad breath can also be the result of periodontal disease, something you may not catch if you don’t see your dentist.