While going to the dentist may not be your favorite way to pass your time, it’s really important to take good care of your teeth. Part of doing that is regularly seeing your dentist. You may think that occasionally skipping an appointment won’t make a big impact on your dental health, but that’s not the case.
Missing your dental appointments can lead to a variety of complications, especially after a procedure. After a big procedure that is time-consuming, expensive, and likely has an uncomfortable recovery, the last thing you want to do is go back for a follow-up visit. If you don’t feel or see any problems, there aren’t any, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Skipping your follow up appointments or even skipping cleanings can lead to problems that impact your entire body’s health and wellness.
A follow-up appointment is intended to make sure that there are no complications resulting from improper healing after your procedure. Only a trained dental professional can definitively determine that the site of your procedure is healing properly.
Minor issues that are ignored after procedures or that you ignore when you skip a regular appointment can turn into major problems down the line. Some of these include infections, loose sutures, open flaps, more time down the road shifting teeth and bone atrophy.
Infections
After undergoing oral surgery always comes with a risk of infection, but some patients are more likely to experience it than others. While not all infections are preventable, your risk increases if you don’t follow the aftercare instructions that your dentist gives you. At your follow-up appointment, your dentist will be able to tell you if you have an infection and prescribe antibiotics or other medications to prevent further complications.
Dry Socket
When a tooth has been extracted, a condition called dry socket can occur. This is when a blog clot does not develop properly or dislodges before the healing process is complete. At your follow-up appointment, your dentist can check the progress or your healing and spot any warning signs that dry socket may occur. If you do have dry socket your dentist can begin treatment right away.
Bone Loss
If your tooth is removed by a professional, or if it falls out as a result of an injury or poor oral hygiene, the area where the tooth was becomes brittle and starts to shrink. If you miss your follow-up appointment, you will miss the opportunity to discuss options to preserve bone density. The longer you wait, the more likely the bone loss is to cause permanent damage that can lead to a loss of the ability to chew and even speak normally.
Shifting Teeth
Shifting teeth can be a serious problem that can lead to loss of bone density or it can simply change your bite and create a little extra pressure. At your follow-up appointment, your dentist can ensure that your teeth are in the right place using x-rays and other technology.
There are also certain common procedures that also require a follow-up appointment these include dental implants, extractions, braces and orthodontic treatment, crowns, emergency dental surgeries, and dentures.
Overall, it’s essential that you do not skip follow-up or other dental appointments. If you have missed an appointment or are experiencing other issues, call our office today.
