New Year’s Resolution: Visit the dentist!
There aren’t too many people who are fond of dental procedures. Often, patients worry about discomfort during treatment like a dental crown or filling. It can create such a negative feeling that patients even avoid the dentist altogether. After missing one appointment, it suddenly becomes three years since you’ve been to the dentist. What can happen in that time between visits? Serious damage to your teeth. The enamel of your teeth is incredibly strong, but bacteria can cause decay that threatens the stability of the tooth. Don’t skip out on your dentist appointments!
Dentist Appointments Create an Opportunity for Preventive Care
Your regular dentist appointments are part of preventive oral health care that is designed to keep your teeth safe. Having to miss a single appointment and reschedule it for later isn’t the end of the world. But developing a habit — or rather, falling out of the habit — of missing dentist appointments can lead to an increased risk for cavities and gum disease. During your appointment, your dentist can examine your teeth for any bacterial buildup and recommend preventive care to strengthen your teeth against future damage. Preventive care will always save you time and money.
How Often Should You See Your Dentist?
At a minimum, to maintain your dental health, you should visit your dentist twice annually for cleanings, and receive X-rays once per year. If you experience dental problems like cavities or tooth pain, you may need to see your dentist more often. Also, if you’re working with your dentist on aesthetic correction, you will likely need to see your dentist frequently throughout the year to make sure treatment is going according to plan.
A dental visit is essential to keeping your teeth clean beyond what normal brushing can do. The dentist is also responsible for catching any little problems before they become big ones. Remember, even if you only skip one appointment, that means you might be waiting six months until your next one. That’s six more months of plaque buildup and potential tooth decay.
Attending Appointments Now Will Save You in the Future
If you haven’t visited the dentist in a while, you should go as soon as possible. The sooner you make your appointment, the sooner you can begin to repair the damage that bacteria have caused. If you have a cavity, it’s important to get a dental filling right away. Your dentist will remove the bacteria from your tooth and fill the hole left behind with a biocompatible material. The filling, in addition to being an esthetic restoration for your tooth, fortifies the structural integrity of your tooth, which can be compromised by tooth decay.
At the end of your appointment, it’s a good idea to schedule your next appointment ahead of time. That way, you won’t forget to visit the dentist when it’s time for your teeth to be cleaned again. We will remind you before your next appointment to make it easy for you to remember.
Tooth Decay Creates Compounding Oral Health Problems
What can happen when you skip out on a tooth filling now? A simple cavity can often be easily repaired by your dentist right away. Severe tooth decay requires a dental crown or root canal, and in extreme cases, tooth extraction. These procedures involve more time, a higher cost, and potential discomfort. Avoid compounding oral health problems by making your dentist appointments now. Don’t let tooth decay damage your teeth.
Think of it like owning a vehicle. If you don’t take care of your car with regular oil changes and repairs, it might work for a while without seeming to show any signs. Eventually, however, your car could break down and leave you stranded, cause an accident, or need more expensive repairs that could have been avoided. You wouldn’t continue to drive a car that’s in need of serious repairs and in danger of breaking down, so why would you neglect your dental health?
Make Your Dentist Appointment at Barbara Bell, DDS PA
Don’t make a habit of missing your dentist appointments. Attending semiannual appointments is so important to the long-term future of your oral health. Missing dental appointments costs you time and money. Most dental insurance companies don’t have benefits that roll over to the next year. If you do not take advantage of your policy benefits in a timely manner, you will lose them. Most plans will cover two preventive appointments, so you should take advantage. When you receive proper care now, it can save you from extensive treatment later. Barbara Bell DDS, PA creates a welcoming environment where patients are encouraged to take ownership of their oral health. Schedule your appointment by calling our office at 301.620.8869.
