Finding someone who enjoys a trip to the dentist is almost impossible. After all, no one likes having someone’s hands in their mouth. Then there are the various implements that dentists use; some can even look downright scary.
However, avoiding your twice-annual checkups can negatively impact your overall health. So if you’re not sure if a visit to a dentist in Houston is worth your time, here are a few reasons why it makes sense to make an appointment.
Why You Should Make Regular Dental Appointments
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends seeing your dentist twice a year. However, your dentist may recommend more frequent visits or showing up just once every 12 months.
In other words, if nothing else treat your dentist visit the same as an annual physical. Making an appointment at least once a year can help prevent a host of oral health problems.
Along with catching relatively minor oral health issues like tooth decay, there are a few other reasons why it makes sense to see your Houston-area dentist.
Enjoy a Professional Cleaning
Have you ever run your tongue across your teeth after a visit to the dentist? The feeling can be simply amazing to experience.
Your teeth feel clean, even in those hard-to-reach places. This is because your dental hygienist and dentist have tools that can remove plaque and tartar buildup. They can even get in between your teeth and all the way back to your molars.
Removing plaque and tartar buildup is essential in preventing cavities and serious health issues like gum disease.
Boost Your Self-Confidence
Yes, a trip to the dentist can give your self-confidence a boost. The deep cleaning not only removes plaque buildup, it also brightens your smile. Certain foods and drinks like tea, coffee, and blueberries can gradually stain your teeth. Whitening toothpastes can remove some of the discoloration, but rarely all.
If your yellowish teeth are making you embarrassed to smile, a visit to the dentist can help. You leave with a clean, white smile you’re thrilled to show off.
Your dentist can also repair cracked, chipped, crooked, and missing teeth. Just ask to learn more about your treatment options. Some cosmetic dental work like implants may even be covered, at least partially, by your insurance.
Check for Disease and Other Potential Issues
Screenings are a common part of your annual dental exam. Your dentist is checking for issues like gingivitis, a type of gum disease. However, your screenings don’t stop there. Your dental hygienist and dentist will also examine the insides of your checks and lips for signs of oral cancer. The sides of your tongue, roof, and sides of your mouth are also checked.
Even though having someone poking around inside your mouth isn’t exactly comfortable, it’s necessary to help ensure your overall oral health. Did you know an oral health issue can impact your overall well-being? For example, oral cancer can spread to other parts of your body.
Monitor Previous Dental Work
Sometimes, dental work doesn’t last forever. Crowns can break and fillings can fall out, for example. Routine dental visits, at least once a year, allow your dentist to monitor previous work and make any adjustments or repairs as necessary.
If you’ve had work done by someone other than your regular dentist, maybe you’ve recently switched to a new Houston-based practice, your current dentist will want to keep an eye on any previous work.
Not only can this prevent issues from popping up, but it also saves you time and money. Typically, catching an issue early results in cheaper dental bills.
Save on Dental Costs
You may feel like you’re saving money by skipping annual dental visits. You’re saving on co-pays if you have dental insurance or the overall cost of the visit, and this can add up to some significant savings over a few years.
The downside is you may be missing the opportunity to fix a minor issue. Now, you’re paying for a major procedure on top of your copay or cost of the visit. Major dental procedures aren’t cheap and can easily wipe out any money you save by not going to the dentist.
You’re Setting a Good Example
If you’re a parent, your children look up to you and often follow your example, and this can extend well into adulthood. If you’re skipping your regular visits to the dentist, don’t be surprised if your children are doing the same.
A visit to the dentist often isn’t pleasant, but it’s also necessary for your oral health and overall well-being. Even if you’re only making it once a year, you’re still setting a good example. Be proactive about your oral health and make a dental appointment.