Visiting the Dentist Could Save You Time & Money
Story time — With everything going on over the past year , you ’ ve forgotten to visit your dentist . You decide it ’ s time to schedule an appointment . You arrive , checkin , and are ushered back to one of the rooms , where the hygienist greets you .
Everything is going smoothly as the hygienist is cleaning your teeth , then the dentist comes in for the exam . After inspecting every nook and cranny between your teeth , they deliver the news that they have found a cavity . To your surprise , they explain that not only do you have a cavity , it ’ s one that will require a crown or maybe even a root canal as well . What started as a long-awaited routine appointment has turned into a multiple-visit treatment .
Has this ever happened to you or someone you know ? Personally , this is my least favorite way to meet someone like a dentist , only to be superseded by having to tell someone they are going to have to lose a tooth . It puts a real rain cloud over the visit , if you know what I mean . So how can something like this be prevented ? How can we minimize a possibility like this ?
Well , I ’ m not sure if you caught it , but the very first sentence of the scenario mentioned above is what laid the groundwork for the surprise our friend was struck with . This individual scheduled — or rather didn ’ t schedule — their interpretation of when they needed a checkup rather than sticking with a regular routine recommended by their dentist .
By MAX COOK , DDS
Given there are no high-risk factors , the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist every six months . For patients that present more risk , this interval is sometimes lowered to three months . This is essential , as it allows the dentist to regularly assess tooth and gum health and catch any issues before they develop into more severe problems . At these visits , the doctor and hygienist are working together to accomplish two things primarily :
Oral Prophylaxis ( Cleaning ) + Examination
Working together , both the hygienist and dentist are looking out for your health during your visit . During the cleaning , the hygienist removes tartar and buildup from plaque that may have accumulated in hardto-reach areas since your last visit . During exams , the dentist will assess the oral cavity and surrounding areas for any potential problems . This is typically accomplished through visual inspection and assessment of current and past radiographs . Your dentist is not just looking at the teeth but also is screening for other vital issues such as problems with the jaw , periodontal disease , and even oral cancer .
By coming every six months , this allows any issue to be diagnosed and be treated early , increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome . If a successful outcome isn ’ t enough , I should also mention that catching a problem while it is small usually costs less to fix than a more significant issue .
The example I typically use to illustrate this is periodic oil changes on your vehicle . By regularly changing the oil in your car , you ensure the car has what it needs to function properly and you minimize the likelihood of damage to your engine . If you neglect this fundamental area of maintenance to your car , what do you think the odds are that you are going to have an issue with your engine down the line ? Do you think it might be an expensive issue ? If our friend had kept up with regular dental appointments , their issue could have been fixed with a simple filling long before it progressed to a costly situation .
Although the dentist and hygienist have committed their careers to protecting patients ’ oral health , there is another essential part of what translates to your success , and that is YOU . Your dentist and hygienist want to help you feel confident about your oral health so you don ’ t run into such surprises , but they can ’ t do this if you do not prioritize regular appointments . Many offices have in-office membership plans that help set you up on a schedule that will accomplish routine care throughout the year . If it has been a while , take charge of your situation and help your dentist help you by scheduling a visit .
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