Don’t take your teeth for granted!

A North West dentist reveals what happens inside your mouth every time you skip a check-up.

A few days ago the ‘Independent’ ran an article that spelt-out on a timeline exactly how your mouth, your teeth and your general health could become increasingly at risk simply because you neglect your regular dental check-ups. One of the highly respected dentists that the ‘Independent’ consulted for the article was North West dentistry Dr Tariq Idrees from Carisbrook Dental.Although, generally speaking, it is accepted that six monthly check-ups make good sense there are many people – often those who have a phobia of the dentist’s chair for instance, or who have a hectic lifestyle, who will allow their check-ups to slip off the radar.The ‘Independent’ article’s timeline shows quite clearly what the consequences could be.Six monthsPatients can be unaware that they are beginning to develop small cavities in their teeth. Caused by tooth decay, if left untreated they will gradually become bigger and could result in tooth loss and the need for extractions.North West dentist, Dr Idrees, also pointed out that as well as monitoring oral health and hygiene, dentists will also carry out mouth cancer screening to check for early stages of the disease. This is particularly important for patients who smoke or drink regularly. Caught early, survival rates are good, but they drop off rapidly.One yearIf you leave your check-up for a year the chances of gum disease will be much higher. As a leading North West dentist Dr Idrees confirms that without treatment this can usually lead to painful inflammation and tooth loss.Two yearsAfter a couple of years without a dental check-up or treatment it is likely that you will now have some form of toothache or will require extensive treatment to resolve the increasing severity of your oral health problems. At this stage, a cavity that could have been quickly fixed may now require extensive (and expensive) root canal therapy.Gum recession is also likely says this North West dentistry, and any previous restorative dentistry work such as dental implants could begin to fail.Five yearsDr Idrees says that at their North West dentistry practice they see patients who have not attended for five years and they often identify serious problems. Because of this neglect the survival of someone’s teeth is now seriously at risk.Typically, says Dr Idrees, is that the patient has allowed tartar to build-up. These hard, calcified deposits need to be regularly scraped away by scaling in order to keep the teeth clear. If this procedure is neglected then tartar is a major contributing factor for tooth decay.Ten yearsBy now, according to this North West dentistry, the entire condition of the mouth could be a matter of serious concern.After a decade without a dentist’s attention teeth can become sensitive and potentially worn down.It is also likely that any treatment that is required will be far more extensive, and expensive, than it would have been with regular intervention. Dr Idrees recalls that one man who had not visited a dentist in 10-years, required over 18-months of treatment to reconstruct his teeth … at a cost of £27,000.That is an expensive reminder of what could result from not keeping up your regular dental check-up schedule … so maybe you should not take your oral health for granted and realise just how easily it could be destroyed simply by neglect.If you would like to book an appointment, either for a routine check-up or to discuss any treatment, then please contact us. You can either call us on 0161 951 7295, or you can book it online by using the form on our Appointments page.