Ellettsville Dental Center
Dentistry in Ellettsville, Indiana
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Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Years? Here’s What to Expect

June 17, 2024
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Posted By: Dr. David Compton
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Haven’t Been to the Dentist in Five Years?

There are many reasons why patients neglect dental care, including finances, busy lifestyles, dental phobia, and embarrassment over tooth loss and decay. If you haven’t been to the dentist in years—or even decades—our compassionate team encourages you to resume care.

You can expect thorough dental care, including a general exam and dental cleaning in Bloomington, IN. However, if it has been a while since your last checkup, we may start you with a consultation to address any underlying or obvious concerns, allowing us to plan treatment better.

Consequences of Not Seeing the Dentist

Dental care is designed to diagnose oral health conditions early and prevent them from occurring. When you don’t see your dentist in Bloomington for checkups, you often discover problems later, which puts your oral health at risk. Likewise, teeth cleanings significantly lower your risks for the most common oral health conditions.

Cavities

Without dental cleanings, tartar forms on the teeth, which causes tooth decay. When tooth decay is not addressed, it can advance to the nerve, causing an infection or lead to tooth crumbling and fractures. Your toothbrush and floss cannot clear stubborn tartar. Only a dental professional can!

Tooth Infectionsgraph showing gum disease stages | dentist bloomington indiana

Tooth infections are painful and require root canal therapy or extraction to ease pain and prevent infection spread. Through regular dental care, we can spot emerging infections or clear plaque and tartar from the teeth to prevent them from occurring.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a severe complication, often stemming from a lack of dental care. It can mean tooth loss and even systemic health complications involving the heart and lungs. Studies also suggest a link between untreated gum disease and dementia.

Contact Our Dentist’s Office in Bloomington to Get Back on Track

To schedule your next dental visit or consultation, contact Ellettsville Dental Center at (812) 876-7330. You’ll enjoy a judgment-free appointment and feel good about taking a positive step toward better oral health.

We offer an exclusive membership plan to help our uninsured patients enjoy affordable dental care in Bloomington, IN. We’re also happy to finance your treatment through CareCredit.

If you have difficulty using our website, please email us or call us at (812) 876-7330
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