It might be tempting to forgo a few basic health services when money is tight, but neglecting to receive necessary dental care can set you up for much oral misery that requires costly restorative treatment to resolve. If you have dental insurance, your policy is probably designed to encourage you to receive routine dental care that prevents serious oral health problems and keeps the overall cost of treatment low. Here’s why you should get the most out of your insurance policy by seeing your dentist.
How Does Dental Insurance Work?
While most dental insurance plans cover restorative work such as fillings, crowns, and dentures by about fifty to eighty percent, these treatments usually leave policyholders with a significant bill they must pay out-of-pocket. Preventative work such as routine checkups and cleanings, X-rays, and fluoride treatments, on the other hand, are often completely covered to encourage people to receive the care they need to avoid expensive oral health crises. This helps keep rates low for the insurance company’s policyholders.
Why Should I See My Dentist?
Alongside proper at-home oral hygiene and smart eating decisions, regular professional dental care is the best way to keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and comfortable for life. While many people may be tempted to wait until they have oral pain to see their dentists, neglecting your routine appointments can lead to preventable mouth infections that cause permanent damage such as tooth loss. Seeing your dentist twice a year will help you avoid painful infections and the significant expenses dental emergencies can incur.
What Happens During a Routine Exam and Cleaning?
Dentists do everything they can to ensure that each patient coming in for a checkup enjoys a comfortable and pleasant appointment. Your visit will probably begin with a staff member taking your blood pressure and verifying your medical history and list of medications. Then, your dentist will carefully inspect your teeth and soft tissues and note any issues that need to be addressed. They will then carefully clean your teeth and gums with specialized tools, and you may receive X-rays once a year to check for internal issues.
If your dentist detects any problems, they may be able to treat them in the same visit or schedule you for another appointment to have the issue addressed. The best ways to ensure your teeth do not develop infections between dental checkups are to brush, floss, and use antibacterial mouthwash every day while avoiding excessive consumption of sugary or acidic foods and beverages.
About the Author
Advanced Prosthodontics and Implant Esthetics offers the most excellent oral healthcare in the Naples area. Led by Drs. Randold Binns and Eugenio Aquino, the staff ensures that each patient enjoys a pleasant experience with the utmost compassion and courtesy in a clean and welcoming office environment. Areas of expertise include routine dental care as well as restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry and dental implant services. To book your next checkup, contact the office online or dial (239) 775-2455.