Preventative Dental Care: How Regular Checkups Save You Money in the Long Run
By scheduling routine visits to your dentist, you’re not only taking proactive steps to maintain your oral hygiene, but you’re also minimizing the risk of costly dental procedures in the future. During these checkups, the dental professionals at the Dental Group of Chicago perform various procedures, including thorough oral examinations, professional cleanings, and potentially life-saving oral cancer screenings.
These appointments are designed to detect and address issues before they progress, ensuring your oral health is managed efficiently and affordably. We are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and are also open on Saturdays to ensure we are available to help you avoid costly dental care down the line.
5 Ways Regular Dental Checkups Save You Money in the Long Run
By attending regular dental checkups, you invest in the long-term health of your teeth and gums, which can save you substantial money over time in the following ways:
1. Prevention of Expensive Dental Problems
Regular dental checkups prevent dental issues that may become costly if left untreated. During these visits, we will detect early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or other issues. Early detection often means simpler and less expensive treatments. For instance, filling a small cavity is far less costly and invasive than performing a root canal on a severely decayed tooth.
2. Avoidance of Progressive Dental Conditions
Conditions like gum disease can progress unnoticed in daily life until they become severe. Regular checkups ensure that such conditions are caught early. Treating gum disease in its initial stages can prevent more severe stages of the disease, which may require extensive and expensive treatments like deep cleanings, surgeries, or even tooth replacements.
3. Maintenance of Dental Work
Dental checkups also serve to monitor and maintain past dental work, such as fillings, crowns, and bridges. Catching issues with these installations early can often lead to minor adjustments instead of complete replacements.
4. Education on Effective Oral Hygiene
We provide valuable advice on proper brushing and flossing techniques, which are important in maintaining oral health. Better daily care of your teeth and gums can prevent problems that lead to costly treatments, ensuring your oral hygiene routine is effective and economically beneficial.
5. Maximizing Dental Insurance Benefits
Regular checkups usually fall under preventive care, which most dental insurance plans cover. By taking full advantage of your dental benefits, you effectively reduce out-of-pocket expenses for treatments that might otherwise be covered only after deductibles are met.
What Are the Common Procedures During a Dental Checkup?
During a dental checkup, you can expect the following procedures:
1. Oral Examination
Every dental checkup begins with an oral examination. Our dental professionals will inspect your teeth, gums, and mouth for symptoms of decay, gum disease, or other oral issues. We may use dental instruments to probe teeth and gums to detect cavities and assess gum health, which identifies problems at an early stage when they are easier to treat.
2. Dental Cleaning
Professional cleaning is a routine part of a dental checkup. A dental hygienist usually performs this procedure, which involves removing plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth. These substances are impossible to remove with brushing and flossing alone and can lead to decay and gum disease if not addressed.
3. Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays allow dentists to diagnose issues not visible to the naked eye, such as problems below the gum line, between teeth, or under existing fillings. This helps identify hidden tooth decay, impacted teeth, jawbone damage, and cysts or tumors.
4. Oral Cancer Screening
Our dentists include oral cancer screening as part of the routine dental checkup. This quick procedure involves examining your lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for indications of oral cancer.
5. Educational Guidance
During checkups, we often take the time to discuss proper oral hygiene techniques with patients. This includes demonstrations on how to effectively brush and floss, as well as advice on diet and lifestyle choices that impact oral health. This helps you maintain good dental hygiene between visits.
Choose the Dental Group of Chicago for Comprehensive and Cost-Effective Dental Care
At the Dental Group of Chicago, we believe in the power of prevention. Regular dental checkups are essential to maintaining your oral health and avoiding costly procedures down the line. From detecting early signs of tooth decay to educating you on effective oral hygiene practices, we take a proactive approach to your dental well-being. Our extended hours, including evenings and Saturdays, ensure that your dental care fits into your busy schedule.
Whether you need routine cleaning or have existing dental work that needs maintenance, our team is dedicated to providing top-tier care in a state-of-the-art facility. By choosing the Dental Group of Chicago, you’re making an investment in your long-term oral health, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule your next checkup with us today by calling (312) 588-0043 or filling out our contact form.