Since it’s that time of year for all the holidays, you might be starting to feel a pinch in your wallet. Whether it’s for house decorations or gifts for your family members, it can easily seem like you’ll have to cut back on certain expenses. However, the last thing you’ll want to do is cancel any essential appointments, especially your upcoming dental checkups. Read on to learn how visiting your dentist can save you money in the short and long term!
#1: Prevent Dental Decay
Even the smallest of cavities can be detrimental to your oral health and quality of life. If left untreated, it can make some normal tasks difficult to do, such as eating comfortably and smiling confidently. Since dental issues like tooth decay won’t recover on their own, you must see your dentist routinely so that they can identify and address the problems as soon as possible. The longer you hold off on receiving dental care, the higher the chance that you’ll require a root canal or extraction instead of just a filling.
#2: Detect Gum Disease Early On
Did you know about 50% of American adults have developed some form of gum disease? Since this is a prevalent dental concern, your dentist will dedicate a portion of your routine exam to checking your gum line. This is to ensure there’s no plaque buildup, inflammation, and infection developing around your smile. Should they catch any early warning signs of the disease, they’ll be able to provide the necessary procedures to stop it from progressing. Your treatment may also simply include a solid at-home oral hygiene routine. If left unchecked, you may end up needing more extensive methods, such as root scaling and planing.
#3: Treat Oral Cancer in the Early Stages
This is one of the most important screenings during your dental checkups. Your dentist will be able to detect oral cancer symptoms (such as white patches along the bottom of your mouth) early on instead of allowing it to go unnoticed for months or years at a time! This will allow them to work with your primary care physician to treat any indications in the early stages before the condition can advance and worsen.
#4: Use Your Dental Insurance Benefits
Since most dental insurance plans reset on January 1st, you should make the most of your benefits before then. If not, you’ll end up wasting hundreds or even thousands of dollars by the end of the year. To avoid this, your dentist can easily help you with dental checkups and cleanings, as many policies offer coverage for preventive care. If you aren’t insured, they can discuss your other financing options, such as CareCredit.
Seeking preventive dental care can save you money by avoiding the need for more costly treatments. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist before the end of the year, and you’ll be able to enjoy a healthier smile in the long run!
About the Author
Dr. Edward J. Dooley received his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He’s also a proud member of several prominent groups like the New Jersey Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He offers a wide selection of advanced and comprehensive services, including dental checkups/cleanings, gum disease therapy, and oral cancer screenings. If you’d like to set up an appointment, visit his website or call 732-974-2288.
