Most of us are familiar with the basics of healthy living. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, get active, and make sure to schedule annual visits with your doctor. But what you may not realize is that regular dental checkups are key to your overall health, as well!
Yes, you really should plan to schedule regular dental checkups every 6 months. Dentists refer to these visits as “prophy exams” – short for “prophylactic exams.” Prophylactic means preventive, and having these regular visits can prevent a whole lot of pain and effort when it comes to your oral health.
Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to catch small issues before they become big problems. These visits can end up saving you a lot of time, pain, and money.
If you only make it to the dentist every 2 or 3 years, you are going to need a much deeper cleaning. And possibly lots of other work! These deeper cleanings are more expensive than regular cleanings. Not to mention the added cost of fillings or other treatments. That’s why it just makes the most sense financially to come in regularly.
Aside from financial stress, putting off regular dental checkups can cause a lot of physical pain. For example, a small bit of decay can be addressed with a simple filling. But left to linger, decay can ruin the tooth and lead to expensive and more painful treatment like root canals or tooth extraction. Why wait until you’re having severe tooth pain to get treatment when a regular checkup could help avoid the issue altogether?
Some people think they can skip their regular dental checkups to save time. But in reality, ignoring your oral hygiene can end up costing you more time in the long run. For example, regular dental cleanings are relatively quick and painless. However, if you’ve put off your oral care you may develop deep pockets in your gums and bone loss.
These issues require a deep cleaning with scaling and root planning (SRP). Because these cleanings are much more intensive, we break this treatment into two sessions. One session to clean two quadrants (half the mouth) and a second to address the other two quadrants. So instead of saving time, you’ll be spending even more time in a dental chair.
It’s very important to include dental care in your overall health and wellness. Don’t just come in for emergency dental visits, rather take the time to come in twice a year and keep your oral care on track.
At 19th Avenue Dental Care, we even offer Sunday appointments to fit your busy schedule. So there’s no excuse to skip a visit! Our team of experts will help you feel comfortable, no matter how long it’s been since your last visit. Come see us today and get your regular dental checkups scheduled!