It’s the end of the year and the holiday season is in full swing! It’s the perfect time for drinking hot chocolate, singing carols, and…scheduling a dentist appointment? That’s right! December is the perfect month to visit your dentist!
While there is never a bad month to visit the dentist, there are several benefits to scheduling in December. Here are 5 reasons why you should visit the dentist in December:
1. Smile Bright for the Holidays: Cosmetic Dentistry
Did you know that three in five Americans don’t like their smile? In a study of 2,000 people, 81% stated that they believe their teeth are unattractive in photos. Montgomery Dentistry wants to help you feel confident and proud of your smile! In addition to basic cleanings and restorations, we also offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry services.
Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures that focus on improving the appearance of your smile from color or shape to size or alignment. Here are the cosmetic services that we offer:
- White Composite Fillings
- A composite filling is simply a tooth-colored substance used to restore teeth that have any type of erosion, fractures, cracks, or gaps.
- Porcelain Crowns (Caps)
- Porcelain crowns are a great option when fillings and other types of restoration will not work. The crown, or “cap” is an encasing that covers the original tooth surface and appears like a new, healthy tooth.
- Porcelain Fixed Bridges
- Porcelain bridges are used as a permanent measure to replace missing teeth and are loved by patients because they resemble your real teeth and are extremely durable.
- Porcelain Veneers
- Veneers are a terrific option for reshaping your teeth and smile. Unlike crowns, porcelain veneers do not encapsulate the entire tooth, but merely cover the front of it.
- Teeth Whitening
- Whitening and bleaching teeth are very common requests at Montgomery Dentistry, so we decided to make it FREE to our loyal patients! Our technique is simple and gently lightens the enamel of your teeth within a short amount of time.
Don’t hide your smile this holiday season! Schedule a cosmetic dental visit this month and allow our dentists to help you love your smile again!
2. The Importance of the 2nd Dental Visit
By the time December rolls around, the hope is that you’ve already had your first six-month checkup sometime during the spring or summer. As the year comes to a close, don’t forget about your second appointment!
Why are biannual checkups so important? During your regular dental checkup, hygienists and dentists examine your mouth for overall oral health. You are screened for any signs of oral cancer by examining your face, lips, neck, throat, and gums. You are also screened for gum disease and tooth decay, as well as an evaluation of any crowns, fillings, or other restorative dental work you have received.
In addition to oral health screenings, your regular dental checkup also includes a routine cleaning. While you are hopefully practicing regular teeth cleaning at home, a professional teeth cleaning twice a year helps prevent the risk of excessive buildup of plaque and tartar, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious oral health issues.
A healthy mouth is a solid indicator of your body’s overall health. Whether it’s your first or your second visit of the year, go ahead and schedule an appointment today!
3. The Flu Season & Your Teeth
If you are unfortunate enough to fall ill this flu season, your teeth are probably the last part of your body that you’re worried about. However, since the flu is an assault on all body systems, it can have a profound effect on your teeth, so a trip to the dentist might be a good idea!
Due to the flu virus being a respiratory illness that spreads through saliva and mucus, it comes in contact with your mouth every day you are infected. Often while people are sick, they are aware of making sure they don’t spread the virus with others by covering their mouths and not sharing beverages; however, they forget to take precautions to not spread the virus back to themselves!
When people get sick, they don’t stop brushing their teeth. In fact, if an individual gets the stomach flu, they are probably using their toothbrush multiple times a day. While the toothbrush is an effective tool to eliminate germs and stomach acid, these flu symptoms put your toothbrush in the line of fire. Did you know that the flu virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 24 hours? This means that the virus can live on your toothbrush in between uses and threaten your health every time you clean your teeth.
Does this mean you shouldn’t brush? No! Brushing your teeth while sick fights tooth decay that virus symptoms can cause. Instead, it is important to remember to change your toothbrush once you start feeling better and maybe even replace it again once you are back to full health.
4. Start the New Year with a Healthy Smile
With the new year coming quickly, have you started making any New Year’s Resolutions? Now is a great time to set goals and make plans to create habits that will make your smile healthier and more attractive.
Here are some tips for starting the new year with a healthy smile:
- Floss Every Day
- Everyone knows they’re supposed to floss, but few actually do. Make the effort this new year to floss daily and reduce your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
- Brush the Full 2 Minutes
- Studies show that most Americans brush their teeth for less than a minute. Invest the full 120 seconds and improve your oral hygiene next year.
- Avoid Acidic Food
- Acid foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes as well as acidic soft drinks can be very damaging to your mouth. Try to limit the amount of acidity you take in and remember to drink plenty of water to help rinse acid from your teeth.
- Quit Smoking
- Among other serious health issues, smoking is one of the most dangerous habits for your teeth. Not only is there an increase in your risk for gum disease and tooth loss, but it even makes it more difficult to replace teeth with dental implants.
- Invest in Your Smile
- We’ve discussed the benefits of cosmetic dentistry and the importance of getting your second dental checkup. You wouldn’t hesitate to invest in your body’s health and appearance. Now is the time to prioritize investing in your mouth’s health and your smile!
5. Make the Most of Your Annual Dental Benefit
Visiting your dentist in December is a great opportunity to take full advantage of your annual dental benefits! Most insurance companies operate on a calendar year meaning that benefits reset each January. Any unused benefits do not roll over to the new year. Likewise, if you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through your employer, it will also reset at the start of the year.
At the beginning of the year, your dental insurance allows an annual maximum or the amount of money your provider will contribute towards dental care in the year. If you need any dental treatments that are more extensive than cleaning and checkup, scheduling in December is a great way to ensure that all or most of your annual maximum will cover your expenses. Don’t let your annual dental benefits go to waste!
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Dr. Amy Morrison Anderson
