We are at the beginning of another new year, which is a perfect opportunity to start doing better than we did last year. Many people resolve to take better care of their health when the new year comes around, so why not start with your oral health? The American Dental Association recommends that everyone sees their dentist at least twice annually for routine exams and cleanings. Here are a few of the reasons why it’s a great idea to schedule your dental checkup early in the year.
You Can Receive Some Much-Need Post-Holiday Oral Care
The holiday season is a wonderful time of year dedicated to gathering with friends and family and celebrating the past and the future, but these celebrations often come with treats and libations that aren’t so great for your dental health. Red wine pairs wonderfully with beef or lamb, but it is full of acid and pigments that can damage your teeth. Cakes, cookies, pies, eggnog, and the like are sweet treats, but they are full of sugar that can feed the nasty oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
If you thoroughly celebrated this last holiday season, having a dental exam early in the year can be a great way to catch and correct any resulting health problems. The teeth can be cleaned and tooth decay can be treated in its early stages, preventing, minimizing, or even reversing dental damage.
You Can Make Sure Your Oral Hygiene Is in Order
Dentists don’t just clean teeth and treat tooth decay during routine appointments. They also monitor your teeth and take note of any buildup. This allows your dentist to provide you with professional advice about how to take proper care of your teeth. Whether it be about brushing properly or flossing more, your dentist’s recommendations will be invaluable for your oral health.
You Can Enjoy Some Quiet Time in the Waiting Room
The waiting rooms at dentists’ offices are known for being quiet, pleasant, and conservatively decorated. This provides a low-stimulation, peaceful area for you to take a break for a few minutes after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Why not schedule your dental appointment and bring that book you’ve been trying to finish so you can enjoy a few pages of it in the waiting room?
About the Author
Dr. Yelena Obholz earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the New York University College of Dentistry before completing a residency at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the District of Columbia Dental Society. Her office in North Bethesda, MD offers general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. To schedule a checkup, contact her office online or dial (301) 658-7647.