5 Things That Could Happen if You Put Off Your Dental Appointment

Are you in the habit of skipping dental appointments? If so, you should reconsider. Visiting the dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, is good for your teeth and gums. If you skip dental appointments, you could run into many problems. Below, we’ve listed some of the reasons that you shouldn’t skip dental appointments.

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath happens as a result of bacteria in your mouth. If you skip dental appointments, you could get a buildup of bacteria in your mouth. The result would likely be bad breath that would be difficult to get rid of – even if you brushed your teeth.

2. Plaque Turns Into Tartar

Plaque is a sticky substance left behind on your tooth enamel after eating. Plaque can be removed with good brushing and by going to the dentist. If plaque stays on your teeth for too long, it can turn into tartar: a crusty substance that’s difficult to remove.

3. Gum Recession

Tartar that forms on your teeth near the gumline can lead to problems like gum recession. Gum recession can cause tooth sensitivity, bone loss, and loose permanent teeth.

4. Cavities and Dental Infection

If your dental health becomes poor, you could be more likely to get cavities and dental infection. If you’re skipping appointments, your dentist may not catch this problem until it’s severe.

5. An Extra-Long Appointment

If you put off going to the dentist for a long time, your next dental appointment might be extra long. Your dentist will need more time to clean and examine your teeth.

Do you need a dental exam in Scottsdale, AZ? Don’t put it off! Call today to make your next dental appointment.

What Should I Eat After an Extraction?

After a tooth extraction in Scottsdale, AZ, you’re going to need some time to heal. To avoid any unnecessary pain, stocking up on all the right foods can make it easier for your mouth to heal. It’s important to know that this is more than just discomfort or sensitivity, though. You may be more vulnerable to infection thanks to your inability to sterilize your mouth as normal, so you’ll need to keep a sharp watch on your diet.

What You Should Eat

Directly after the procedure, you can give yourself an hour or two before you ingest anything. From there, you can eat eggs, pasta, pudding, yogurt, and soups. Everything that you have should be as liquid as possible — that means puréed soups, well-cooked macaroni, and yogurt without chunks of fruit. Whether you have jello or a milkshake for dessert, you should avoid any resistance in the first few days.

After three days, you should monitor how you feel. Some people will be ready to chicken or ground beef. Others will want to stick with the same foods that they were eating before. If you don’t feel any type of pain while you’re eating, it’s probably time to try chunkier soups, steamed veggies, or chocolate cake.

Dentists in Scottsdale, AZ

There is no perfect timeline when it comes to tooth extraction, as everyone will recover at their own pace. The general rule is that as long as the pain is getting better and not worse every day, you should be fine. If you have any questions at all about what to eat or what’s normal, it’s important to work with a dentist in Scottsdale, AZ, who can answer you. At Waldman Dental Group, our staff can help set you up for success.