Saving Money and Time: The Secret

There is no secret to a healthy, beautiful smile. An amazing smile has so many benefits. Boost in confidence, looking more attractive, and enjoying your favorite foods. So how do we get to that state, and how do we stay there? That is the million dollar question. I believe the best way to maintain a great smile is also the best way to save money and time at the dentist. You’re probably wondering how that’s possible?

Good oral hygiene is important, not only for our appearance, but it is important for our general health. Being regular with your dental hygiene visits, we can avoid a number of costly and time consuming dental and medical problems such as gum disease, abscesses, bone loss, and bad breath. Not only that, having issues in your mouth can increase your risk of heart disease, strokes, and arthritis. Regular check ups and cleanings, aka recall visits, provide you with good oral hygiene and a plan can be made to catch things early or prevent problems altogether. Early action and coaching save time and money, as well as prevent unnecessary pain.

If it has been longer than 6 months since your dental recall visit, it’s time to take control of your oral health and make an appointment. Your recall appointment should be thorough and performed by both the hygienist and the doctor. Here’s is what to expect at your dental hygiene recall visit.

Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer can be treated if detected early. At every visit, I perform an oral cancer screening by checking for suspicious lesions. Areas that bleed readily, any enlarged areas, and ulcers are examined very closely.

Regular oral cancer screening can not only save you money, but may actually save your life!

Gum Health Evaluation

Gum health screening is done at every visit, and its one of the most important things that we do. Gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss. If diagnosed early, gum disease can be treated and even reversed. Gum disease and bone loss will continue to worsen. The end result of gum disease is tooth loss and infection. It is best to avoid discomfort and not being able to enjoy your favorite foods. Replacing missing teeth involves more money and time at the dental office.

Status Update

Teeth go through tremendous wear and tear on a daily basis. At your visit I take note of all areas. At the top of the list we make sure to note all chips, cracks, cavities or erosion present. We then prioritize what areas we need to address and which areas need more care at home. A thorough cleaning removes staining and small amounts of plaque buildup on the surface. This is the longest portion of your appointment. The debridement of stain, plaque and tartar will remove bacteria that cause cavities and bad breathe.

Your recall visit is a good time to address any questions or concerns regarding your oral health, techniques on brushing and flossing efficiently, or any other smile enhancement you may have been thinking about. It is our goal to keep your smile healthy and problem free so be sure to keep your recall visits.