3 Things Your Dentist Wishes You Knew

If you dread going to the dentist and you haven't stressed that your children go, you're making a huge mistake that can affect everyone's health and your budget. Here are a few different things a lot of dentists wish people would realize, which would help prevent long term dental problems.

Seeing a Dentist Saves You Money

A lot of people think that they save money by avoiding the dentist, when the reality is that they will most likely pay more down the road for the work they need. Ignoring a small cavity that could be easily filled at a low cost until it turns into an emergency root canal can cost you ten times what it would have cost to have it filled with early detection. Catching small problems earlier saves you time in the dental chair and money out of your pockets.

Not All Dental Products Are the Same

Just because the product is in the dental aisle, doesn't mean it's good for your teeth. Some mouthwashes contain alcohol that will erode the enamel of the tooth, and excessive use could even lead to a higher risk of developing oral cancer. Make sure to look for products that are stamped with the American Dental association seal of approval, so you don't have to worry about bad products doing damage to your teeth.

Young Children Need to be Seen

Parents sometimes skip the dentist because their child doesn't have all of their adult teeth in yet. This is a huge mistake. Cavities that go untreated in baby teeth can go through the gum tissue and erode at the permanent teeth waiting to come in.

Your child may also have orthodontic or developmental problems that go undetected because you waited so long to get them in. As soon as they have a handful of teeth to be cleaned, they should see a dentist.

Call your dental insurance company and see how many visits you get a year, then make an appointment for everyone to get their teeth cleaned. If you don't have dental insurance, you'll want to call around to local dental offices to see who is offering the lowest rates, and who will set up payment plans if you need to have work done. You don't want to put your oral healthy at risk or end up having to spend a lot more money down the road because you neglected to get regular cleanings.

For more information, talk to a local dentist like Scott Brenner, DDS.