What Happens When You Avoid Dental Checkups Over Time?

Regular checkups with the dentist are essential, whether you’re 6, 26, or 106 years of age and in many cases, the consequences of dodging a bi-monthly/annual appointment will not emerge until serious issues occur.

A study conducted by the Health and Social Care Information Centre revealed that half of adults have not been to the dentist in the past two years and that a third of the child population of the UK had not visited either; tooth decay remains the most common reason why 5-9 year-olds are admitted to hospital and is an entirely avoidable issue.

Many adults put off going to the dentist due to extreme dental phobia and associate the dentist with the clinical environments and intimidating-looking technology of the past. Here at Smile Up, our practice has a welcoming atmosphere and we have invested in equipment designed to make patients feel at ease about their treatment.

1-2 years without a dental check-up

Failing to attend a check-up appointment coupled with a year or two of neglecting to brush your teeth correctly and with the correct technique is highly likely to lead to the first signs of gum disease – these signs include painful and bleeding gums. Unfortunately, many patients brush less to avoid the discomfort of brushing sensitive gums, causing problems to worsen.

After two years of no checkup, the chances are that the individual will have some degree of toothache or require expensive treatments to combat the underlying problems. Other complications such as gum recession, cavities, or the need for root canal treatment may be present. By this stage, the patient’s oral health is becoming precarious.

5 years without a dental check-up

After 5 years without a visit, the underlying oral health problem will have manifested into cause for serious concern. This is the stage at which the consequences of having failed to apply basic upkeep techniques will compromise the long-term survival of the patient’s teeth.

10 years without a dental check-up

By this point the shape of the patient’s mouth could be concerning – teeth become crooked and crowded as a result of no intervention. Teeth will be worn, extremely sensitive, and certain foods will be off limits.