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By the time they reach adulthood, most people recognize that dental checkup and cleaning appointments are essential to keeping their smiles healthy. Nevertheless, many people fail to maintain a consistent schedule of appointments, and as a result, they expose their smiles to several different types of problems. Today, we examine why dental checkups and cleanings matter so much, and why skipping even a single appointment can have significant consequences for your long-term oral health.

Because Prevention Is Everything

The good thing about modern dental care is that there’s a solution to every problem. In many cases, that solution is a minimally invasive one, meaning your smile can successfully recover from even severe dental conditions. However, when it comes to your teeth and gums, things like decay and disease can have permanent effects. For example, if you lose tooth structure to a cavity, then you can replace it with a filling, but the tooth structure will still be lost. The better solution is to prevent oral health issues, and maintaining a regular schedule of checkups and cleanings is necessary to do so.

Because You Need Your Dentist’s Help

The biggest threats to your smile are harmful oral bacteria, which constantly band together to form plaque on your teeth and gums. It doesn’t take long for plaque to calcify into tartar, which your toothbrush and floss can’t remove. Tartar harbors bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, and preventing these issues requires visiting your dentist regularly to have the calculus removed with professional treatment. If you skip a checkup and cleaning appointment, then the bacteria in tartar have a much better chance of leading to destructive dental issues.

Schedule a Checkup and Cleaning Appointment

Along with good hygiene at home, dental checkups and cleanings are the most important thing you can do for your smile. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.