When it comes to dental check-ups, most people underestimate just how valuable they can be when it comes to kickstarting their smile goals. A comprehensive dental examination is a golden opportunity to get really clear on where your smile is at, what your smile goals are and the steps that will get you to where you want to be! Over my years as a dentist I have carried out thousands of dental examinations and I’ve found that there are certain mistakes that are incredibly common when it comes to getting your dental check-up. More importantly, I’ve noticed that avoiding these mistakes can massively benefit your smile and oral health. So here are the 5 biggest mistakes that most people make when it comes to Dental Check-up and how to avoid them!
1. Only visiting the dentist when there is a problem
So here’s the problem- all too often we ignore our teeth as long as they aren’t giving us trouble. We put off going to the dentist and don’t bother with the basic routine visits. We have the best intentions but we all know what happens to the best laid plans! Look I get it! We all have busy lives and the weeks go by and quite frankly, all too often our teeth get bumped down the list of priorities… until a tooth starts to hurt..
The best time to visit the dentist is before pain has a chance to kick in! This means getting your dental check-ups before any problems have a chance to develop and being pro-active when it comes to preventing tooth decay and other dental issues.
2. Not getting dental check-ups often enough
One of the most common mistakes we see when it comes to dental check-ups is not visiting the dentist often enough when it comes to preventative dental care. The real secret here is not just attending the dentist for check-ups but going regularly! By attending regularly, not only are you making sure that your teeth are in the best possible shape, if there are any little issues, they can be taken care of before they have a chance to develop into big problems or a severe pain in your tooth late on a Friday night before a big weekend or event!
3. Skipping the Scale & Polish!
Do you wish you had a brighter smile? Are you noticing stains building up on your teeth? Do you need to kickstart your oral hygiene habits? Say no more! We’ve got you covered! A professional dental cleaning is the answer to achieving all the above and so much more! (Plus we all know that there’s nothing quite like that ‘Dentist Clean Feeling’!) The result?
A beautiful, healthy smile that looks and feels its best! So make sure you book your cleaning alongside your comprehensive dental examination- it’s the perfect pairing!
4. Not Asking Questions!
A comprehensive dental examination is so much more than just a check-up! It’s an absolutely brilliant opportunity for you to ask any questions that you may have. Whether it’s figuring out the best oral hygiene routine for your smile, the best way to clean your child’s teeth, or simply how to floss, your dentist will be able to help you take ownership of your oral health and ensure that you are on track to achieve your smile goals. No matter how big or small, Ask the Question!
5. Not making use of Dental Health Benefits!
Did you know you may be eligible to avail of a full dental examination and a professional dental cleaning for just €15 through your PRSI dental health benefits? These benefits cannot be transferred over to the following calendar year so if you don’t use the benefits, you end up losing out! Every year, thousands of people miss out on the opportunity of availing of their dental health benefits under the PRSI scheme!
So you might find yourself thinking “I need to go to the dentist but it’s been so long- what will they think?” The answer to this is simple- your dentist will be delighted that you took action to kickstart your oral health. As dentists we have seen it all and believe it or not we don’t judge! So take that step and make your smile a priority!
It doesn’t matter if you have sensitive teeth, missing teeth, or if a new tooth is growing in. At Roscam Family Dental Practice, we can help you maintain your complete dental health by working with you to help keep your smile healthy. No matter where you are with your smile, we’re happy to help you make your smile look and feel even better!
But here’s my question for you! Are you reading this and thinking “I should probably get a dental checkup!” If this is you then we are here to help! Maybe you have a had a tooth that has been niggling at you for a while! Or perhaps it’s just been a while since you saw your dentist?! Whatever the reason don’t put off looking after your smile for a minute longer! It’s time to take ACTION!
