Are you among the countless individuals who don’t follow the recommendation to visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning? You might skip these appointments because your teeth feel fine, or because you simply don’t think you have the time to get your mouth examined. Some individuals shy away from their dentist in Sacramento because they don’t feel like preventive dentistry is worth the money. But let’s have a reality check here — if you continue to skip routine dental visits, you could be in for some serious consequences.
Pain
Some dental problems develop suddenly, and there is nothing you could have done to prevent them, but most oral health issues develop gradually. By the time they start to cause you pain, they’ve already progressed to the point where they might require major dental work to fix. You may be sore for several days after a treatment like a root canal or an extraction.
It’s so much better to prevent such problems in the first place! Routine dental checkups and cleanings are painless, and if your dentist spots something that needs to be fixed, you can probably expect the procedure to be fairly simple and comfortable.
Lost Time
You’re busy, so it may seem like a waste of time to drive all the way to your dentist’s office, wait a few minutes in the lobby, get your teeth cleaned and examined, and then drive home. But routine dental visits usually take just an hour or less for folks whose teeth are in good shape, and you can schedule them at a time when it’s convenient for you.
If you neglect preventive care and end up with a serious toothache, you might have to make an emergency visit to your dentist. You may have to take some unexpected time off of work or school, effectively throwing a monkey wrench in your schedule. Plus, you might have to stay at home for a few days after your treatment to recover.
Money
Many insurance companies cover 100 percent of the cost of preventive care, so for just the price of your premium, you could visit your dentist for two cleanings and checkups each year. Even if your insurance covers only 80 percent of the cost of these visits, they’re still quite affordable.
Major dental work, on the other hand, can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars — yes, even if you have insurance. It’s best to prevent the need for such work if it’s at all possible.
Too many people trick themselves into thinking it’s okay to skip routine dental visits, but it’s a habit that could come back to bite you in a few years. Please do your best to visit your dentist every six months. Your smile will thank you!
About Your Dentist in Sacramento
Dr. Scott Grivas loves to care for people; he even worked as a nurse before he entered the exciting field of dentistry over a decade ago. He is a skilled general, restorative, and cosmetic dentist who is always encouraging his patients to be diligent about visiting him for regular checkups. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Grivas or ask questions about how to take good care of your smile, please contact our office at 916-571-0815.