Most people suffer from plaque build-up over time.

It doesn't matter how well you brush your teeth. It just happens. That's especially true in those hard to reach places. It's problematic.

Plaque that isn't dealt with early can turn to tartar, the super hard deposits that often build up between teeth. You're unlikely to be able to remove this without the help of a dentist.

Tartar has a habit of eroding those pearly whites. You get cavities for your trouble.

Brushing your teeth is one thing.

Getting a professional cleaning from the dentist is a whole other ball game.

People who regularly get their teeth cleaned by a dentist are far less likely to experience plaque build-up. Likewise, any tartar that's formed will be removed.

Cavities get prevented. And no cavities mean a happy, healthy, and pain-free mouth.

Likewise, it's easy to fall into bad oral hygiene habits. Your dentist will be able to tell you if you're doing something wrong. You may be over-brushing or under-brushing. Maybe you're grinding your teeth or biting your cheeks at night.

The dentist will set you on the right path, whatever the situation.

Dentists can help you spot the early signs of serious illness. Think oral cancer, among others.

Your mouth offers tell-tale signs that they're trained to notice.

Oral cancer can quickly become life-threatening if it isn't caught early. Do yourself a favor and see a professional every 6 months. It might just save your life.

Gum disease isn't fun.

There's swelling, bleeding, and soreness. The gums break down, the bones can disappear, and your teeth might even fall out. Doesn't sound good, right?

Gum disease is another symptom of poor oral hygiene and a build-up of plaque and tartar. The gum starts to move away from the tooth due to infection. Over time the tissue breaks down.

In bad cases, you might even need surgery to solve the problem. And that means spending money.

Seeing a dentist can stop this from happening.

No-one likes tooth pain.

It saps the enjoyment of eating and drinking. It is a constant distraction from your day. It's downright sore and uncomfortable and overwhelming.

You might have a cavity (or cavities). You might have gum disease. You might have a loose tooth or need a root canal.

In some ways, the cause of the pain doesn't matter. It just hurts! See a dentist to avoid the discomfort and get rid of the pain if it's already there.

Your teeth might look fine.

Indeed, they may cause no problems at all and be as gleaming white as can be. But what about under the surface?

We've already noted how dentists can help identify illnesses of which we may be blissfully unaware. Dentists will often take an x-ray to see what's happening out of sight.

This can reveal a host of potential problems that you'd have no idea about otherwise.

Dentist appointments aren't cheap.

For some people, the expense is enough to put them off. Indeed, a survey found that the lack of dental insurance was the primary reason 44% of people chose to avoid the dentist.

However, play the long game. The short term cost of going to the dentist every 6 months might be unappealing. But paying for surgery to get rid of gum disease or replace a tooth will break the bank in comparison.

And can you really put a price on good health? We can almost guarantee you'd pay 10x the cost of an appointment when you're in the midst of serious dental discomfort!

Paying a (relatively) small amount in the short term can both save you money in the long run, and promote positive oral hygiene.

And that's priceless.

People who feel ashamed of their oral hygiene don't smile as much. This is a problem!

Smiling is good for you. Having a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and pain-free set of teeth will boost your confidence and make you smile more.

You could argue that dentists hold a key to a brighter, happier, 'smiley-er' you! Go book yourself an appointment!

Time to Get Booked In

There you have it: 8 reasons you should schedule your next dental visit now.

Americans are getting worse and worse at visiting the dentist. Sure, we all know it's important, and value positive oral hygiene. But the studies show that only about half of us are regularly attending appointments.

If that sounds familiar, then we hope the information here has convinced you to change your habits!

Remember, seeing the dentist will keep your teeth clean and help to prevent cavities. They'll help you identify illnesses and steer clear of gum disease.

You'll avoid tooth pain and get x-rays to see below the surface and gain greater peace of mind. Finally, you'll save money in the long run and gain confidence in the process of doing so.

Sound good? Contact us to book your dentist appointment in Rock Hill now!