It can be tempting to skip regular dental check-ups, especially if you don't have any obvious problems with your teeth. Skipping appointments can actually lead to bigger and more expensive dental problems in the future. Here's why you should never skip your dental check-ups:

- Gum disease is one of the primary causes of tooth loss in adults, but it can be detected before it progresses and treated with regular dental check-ups. Your dentist can help you learn how to prevent gum disease and can perform regular treatments to help reverse existing problems.

- Small problems like cavities can develop into big problems when they aren’t discovered and treated early on. The result can be more expensive and more painful to correct and may require invasive treatments, like root canal surgery. Your dentist can also check for mouth and throat cancers, and may be able to prevent major health problems.

- Regular dental cleanings can help remove plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Plaque and tartar can cause cavities, gum disease, and a host of other health problems, even those that are not in your mouth. While brushing and flossing can help reduce buildup, only your dental hygienist can safely remove all the tartar to prevent the long term accumulation of tartar.

- Issues like halitosis or unsightly teeth can affect your confidence and social life. Studies show that people who suffer from bad breath or missing teeth often also suffer from depression and may even have difficulty finding a job or dating. Regular dental check-ups can help you reverse staining, prevent tooth loss, and monitor any developing issues that could affect your smile.

- Poor dental health can lead to additional health problems, such as heart disease. Your mouth is the gateway to your internal organs and your heart, kidneys, and liver are all affected by your oral health. If your mouth is harboring an infection or you suffer from gingivitis, bacteria can travel through your body and can cause a wide range of health issues. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and prevent such problems.

- You know that dental check-ups can help you maintain your oral health and prevent costly dental procedures in the future, but you may not realize everything your dentist can do to improve and maintain your oral health. Nightguards that prevent clenching and grinding, fluoride treatments to fortify your teeth, instruction and recommendations for home care, and other oral health benefits make your dental check-up a vital part of your overall health care plan.

If you can't visit your dentist twice yearly, talk to your dentist about an alternative schedule that might work better for you. It is better to visit once every two years than to go 3 or more years without visiting a dentist. If you can't afford a bi-annual dental check-up, talk to your dentist about dental insurance or payment plans.

Your dental check-ups are vital to your overall health, and can improve your confidence and wellbeing in surprising ways. They can prevent expensive dental procedures and tooth loss and allow you to detect and prevent problems before they become disastrous. Make a regular dental check-up one of your health care priorities and let us give you something to smile about!