It’s that time of year again! January is here and everyone has an opportunity to make a fresh start in some area of their lives. One of the most common things people do is improve their physical health by exercising more or eating less sugar. But why not decide to improve your oral health for a change? Along with good brushing and flossing habits, seeing a dentist in Spring Hill for regular checkups is one of the most important things you can do for a healthy smile. Keep reading to find out why checkups are so important and how they benefit you. You’ll be one step closer to having a smile you can be proud of in 2019!
Why Are Checkups So Important?
Many people think of their checkups as “just a cleaning,” or simply as a way to make sure they don’t have any cavities. While both of these things are certainly important, your checkups are beneficial for many other reasons:
- Prevent gum disease – If you think cavities or old age is the #1 cause of tooth loss, think again. It’s actually gum disease! This condition affects millions of Americans and, in addition to putting you at risk for tooth loss, also increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s, pregnancy complications, and even some cancers. Fortunately, regular checkups can prevent and/or manage gum disease.
- Less need for major dental work – Having your teeth and gums routinely monitored is the best way to find problems when they’re easier and less expensive to treat. Just like tune-ups for your car prevent major breakdowns, “tune-ups” for your teeth prevent bigger oral health problems.
- Prevent dental emergencies – If it’s been a long time since you’ve had a checkup, you could have an undiagnosed problem that turns into an emergency situation at the worst time (like during a vacation or the middle of the night). Regular preventive care is the best way to minimize emergencies.
Also, don’t forget that checkups are typically covered at 80%-100% for people with dental insurance, so you may as well use this benefit.
If you don’t have dental insurance, ask your dentist about financing, or even just coming in every 9-12 months instead of every 6. While not ideal, this is much more beneficial than waiting many years in between visits.
What’s Included In a Checkup?
Every aspect of your oral health will be examined during a checkup. Here’s what each visit includes:
- A review of your medical history and a blood pressure screening
- Annual X-rays to help a dentist find problems as early as possible – before you even feel pain
- An oral cancer screening
- Annual gum evaluation
- Professional cleaning and polish
- Oral hygiene tips
- Dietary counseling as needed
- Dental exam
The new year just got started, so you may as well take advantage by scheduling a checkup. It’s the first step towards achieving your healthiest smile yet in 2019!
About the Author
Dr. Keith Chapman is a general, cosmetic and restorative dentist in Spring Hill who encourages everyone to schedule regular checkups. He focuses on prevention first, treatment second and has found patients need less major dental work when they get regular care. If have any other questions, he can be contacted through his website or at (615) 302-1414.