5 Reasons to Start 2019 with a Visit to Your Dentist in Southlake

Looking for a way to start 2019 on the right foot? If so, then a trip to your dentist in Southlake is in order. By making your appointment early in the year you can prevent cavities, catch potentially serious conditions, and ensure that your coverage and healthcare information is up-to-date. Taking care of these matters now will allow you to focus on other priorities going forward.

Why Early Detection Is So Important

We’re guessing that your dental health is not the first thing on your mind; and that’s perfectly understandable. Most of us go through our lives trying to juggle a million things all at once. The demands of career, family, and personal commitments can force us to push important things to the back burner.

Still, some things are best dealt with as early as possible. These include your oral health. Here’s why:

• Modern dental technology allows your dentist to detect cavities sooner, enabling him or her to use more conservative forms of treatment. Wait too long and you may find yourself facing a root canal or even an extraction.
• Cavities are not the only area of concern when it comes to your dental health. For example, oral cancer often shows up as a small blemish or sore that a layperson may miss. Detecting these kinds of problems in their early stages takes a professional eye.
• For most of us, our dental coverage details change around the first of the year. Discrepancies between old and new information can sometimes create aggravating delays, not only for the staff at your dentist’s office but for you as well. Updating your information early in the year is the best way to prevent these kinds of frustrating problems

How Often Should You See Your Dentist?

For most patients, a good rule of thumb is to see their dentist twice a year. An easy way to remember this is to tie dental appointments to the height of the warm and cold seasons.

For example, most areas of the country experience their coldest temperatures in January or February and their warmest weather in July or August. By scheduling your biannual dental visits during these months, you invite Mother Nature to help you remember these important commitments.

Twice yearly dental visits are not the best arrangement for all of us. Some of us may need to see the dentist on a more frequent basis. For example, people with a hereditary disposition towards cavities or other oral health problems may need to visit the office every 2-3 months. Your dentist will discuss these concerns with you and work up a schedule that’s best for your situation.

The beginning of the new year is the perfect time to cultivate the habits that will lead to long-term success and happiness. Make a trip to your dentist a part of your plans in the near future. The benefits you’ll receive will more than pay for the investment of time and effort. We wish you and yours lots of happy smiles, both throughout 2019 and beyond.

About the Author

Native Texan Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew is one of our area’s most skilled dentists. He holds both a DDS degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center and fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry. You can reach his office online or by calling (817) 873-2507.