Even though businesses are opening back up, many people are choosing to play it safe by staying home as much as possible. While it’s important to maintain social distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19, certain life activities still need to happen. It’s important that you continue taking care of your health, including timely dental checkups and cleanings.
Rescheduling Your Cleaning and Exam
Since our office had to close due to COVID-19 restrictions, many of our patients had to cancel or reschedule their appointments. Now that we’re open again, we are working hard to provide appointments for everyone in need.
These appointments are spaced out to minimize the number of people in the office at once. We’ve optimized the system to maintain social distancing wherever possible, while also fitting in patients who are overdue for their exams and cleanings.
Now that the office is open, there is no reason to skip your dental cleaning. We invite you to book an appointment if you haven’t been in to see the dentist within the past 6 months.
General Recommendation: Two Cleanings Per Year
The general industry recommendation is to visit the dentist for two cleanings per year. Maintaining this schedule of visiting the dentist every six months is a proactive way to care for the health of your teeth and gums. Consistent visits with a dentist increases the likelihood that we can identify dental problems in the earliest stages.
Keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for every patient. We work hard to offer personalized care for you, which means there might be different recommendations based on your oral health. For example, if a patient is experiencing signs of gum disease, then 3-month cleanings are best to monitor the progress and implement immediate treatments when required.
Preventing Major Dental Work in the Future
Skipping a dental cleaning might seem harmless. While you might not notice an immediate impact from a missed appointment with the dentist, the truth is the long-term harm is the biggest concern. The purpose of regular dental exams is to catch potential issues in the earliest stages. Then, minimally-invasive treatments can be used to take care of the problem.
On the other hand, skipping dental exams and cleanings means that you might have unresolved dental concerns in your mouth. For example, the earliest signs of periodontal disease can be easy to heal. But, if it is left untreated, then gum disease can lead to serious consequences – such as gum recession and even tooth loss eventually. Similarly, a small cavity could turn into a major tooth infection in the future, requiring a root canal or extraction.
Not only do regular dental exams and cleanings protect your smile, but you will save money in the long run by avoiding expensive, invasive dental work.