Most people do not make a dental visit their top priority. Matter of fact, there are many people who avoid going to the dentist at all costs. The reality is, a dental checkup is not something you should be anxious about. Visiting the dentist is what ensures that you will not have sleepless nights dealing with toothaches and other oral health issues.
Making it a habit to miss a dental visit will eventually leave you with some serious oral health issues. Failing to take proper care of your mouth leaves you prone to serious issues like heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and oral cancer. However, most of these issues are easier to treat when we detect them as early as possible.
There is also a higher chance that you will spend less money if you focus on preventive dentistry rather than only visiting your dentist when you already have a serious issue. Here is a look at some common reasons why people skip visits to the dentist:
1. Dental anxiety
Being afraid of a dental checkup is a rather common issue. This anxiety is usually due to previous negative experiences at a dentist or social influences. It is possible to overcome most cases of dental phobia with good communication between dentists and their patients.
For people with an extreme fear of the dentist, sedation dentistry can help them get past their fears.
2. Money
Some people avoid the dentist because they worry about the dent it will put in their wallets. However, that is an unfounded fear since regular visits to the dentist are a lot cheaper than going in for major treatments. For example, it is far easier to fix the early phases of tooth decay with fillings or dental bonding. Treating the later stages of tooth decay often requires a root canal or, even worse, an extraction.
Procedures like root canals are significantly more expensive than treatments like fillings that can cost as little as $25, with certain types of insurance. If you have any worries about spending too much money for a dental checkup, you can lower your bills by practicing good oral hygiene.
3. Time
Time is irreplaceable since most people have rather busy schedules nowadays. A busy schedule can easily lead to a person missing dental appointments. The thing is, when you miss enough appointments, you will eventually develop serious dental issues that will cost you lots of time and money.
4. Fear of being judged by your dentist
There are many people who aren’t proud of the condition of their teeth, and this sometimes forces them to skip appointments since they find themselves constantly worrying about what their dentist or his/her assistants will think about the condition of their teeth.
5. Ignorance
Some people avoid going to the dentist because they do not think there is anything wrong with doing so. People like this are more likely to ignore signs of serious oral health issues like bleeding gums. Bleeding gums are a sign of gum disease and are a sign that people need to take seriously.
With proper treatment early on, bleeding gums will not be a problem. The longer one waits though, the worse the problem will get. When was the last time you saw a dentist? Schedule an appointment with one of our dentists today.