An ounce of Prevention is worth its weight in gold
The new millennium is all about preventing problems before they arise. People are more aware of the risk factors for heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, etc., and are changing their lifestyles to moderate these risks.
Are you aware of the risk factors of dental diseases? How about preventing them? The modifications are easy and as importantly, easy on the bankbooks.
Count the cost of routine check-ups
Most patients require check-ups and cleaning twice a year. For an adult, the average cost per visit is approximately $150-200 (a little more if radiographs need to be taken.) Routine check-ups watch for early signs of gum disease, small cavities, oral cancers, and other potential problems.
The most common reason why people don’t schedule regular check-ups is because they don’t have any pain or any problems. They will go when it hurts. The truth is, if it hurts, it’s usually too late.
Most people are not sensitive to cavities, gum disease, or any other oral pathology until it is too far gone. Cavities, for example, may cause a slight sensitivity to hot or cold or sweet foods that is almost unnoticeable on a day to day basis, but can suddenly abscess to a throbbing pain.
Compare the cost of a filling a cavity (ranges from $100-300, depending on the size of the cavity) verses an abscessed tooth that will require root canal therapy, a filling, and/or a crown to replace lost tooth structure ($ 1500-2000.00) or losing the tooth altogether (priceless).
Not Just a Cleaning
Most people don’t connect their mouths to the rest of their bodies, but the truth is, your mouth is the gateway to your body. The link between oral infections and other diseases in the body such as heart disease and diabetes is becoming well documented and accepted within the health care community.
Our dental hygienists are committed to providing you with clear information and clinical services to help you maintain your good physical health as well as oral health. As members of our dental health care team, our dental hygienists have a distinctive clinical and educational role to play in promoting good oral health for a lifetime.
Our dental hygienists are not just teeth cleaners – they also assess, plan and implement treatments, and evaluate your individual oral care needs. By tracking changes in your gums, it enables the hygienist to assess the health of your oral environment and plan a course of treatment that will help you to prevent disease that may affect your physical well-being.
