The final few months of the year pass by in the blink of an eye. Once the holidays are upon us, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to squeeze any more into your schedule. However, if you haven’t utilized any of your dental benefits yet, you may also want to get the most out of your coverage before the year comes to an end. 

If you haven’t gotten around to scheduling an appointment with your trusted dental team this year, now is the ideal time to reach out to get started. Unlike some other coverage, your dental benefits don’t roll over, making the end of the year the ideal time to schedule an appointment before you lose out on any care at all.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of scheduling before the year comes to an end and what services you should schedule with your team. 

Understand What Dental Benefits You Still Have Available

Whether you’re trying to schedule your first appointment of the year or ensuring you get the most out of your coverage, the first step before scheduling is determining what dental benefits are available to you. No two dental plans are exactly the same, which is why it’s best to head to your dental insurance company’s account portal. 

From here, you should be able to determine what care your insurance plan does and does not cover. For many dental patients, their insurance will cover two standard exams and cleanings per year, a set of X-rays, and some fluoride treatments. However, it is best to check with your insurance before moving forward with scheduling.

In addition to covering this preventative care, your dental benefits may include partial coverage of essential dental treatments, including fillings, crowns, root canals, and extractions if they are medically necessary. Before you reach out to your trusted team to schedule care before year’s end, it’s essential that you start here.  

The Importance of Scheduling Preventive Dental Services 

You spend hundreds of dollars on dental insurance every year, so you want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your dental benefits. If you want to get the most out of your investment in insurance, it’s essential that you schedule preventive dental treatments with your trusted dental team before the year comes to an end. 

Preventive services include your standard dental cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments, and sealants. But why are these so important? A lot of dental problems could be prevented by attending these regular appointments. During preventive appointments, your dentist and hygienist perform thorough inspections of your teeth and gums.

From these exams, they can spot the earliest signs of cavity development, gum disease, and oral cancers. They can provide you with personalized treatment options and at-home care tips to help you address these problems before they become more complex oral health complications. With this support, you can save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. 

Address Needed Dental Treatment Before Your Benefits Reset

Beyond scheduling your standard twice-yearly dental cleanings, it is also incredibly important that you schedule any restorative dental treatments. But what is considered a restorative dental treatment? What this care is will vary from person to person, but it generally refers to any treatments necessary for restoring comfort and protecting your teeth. Some restorative dental treatments may include:

• Fillings
• Root Canals
• Tooth Extractions
• Periodontal Treatment
• Crowns

These treatments aren’t generally designed with cosmetic goals in mind. Instead, they are designed to allow you to restore lost comfort, whether due to a cavity, gum inflammation, cracks, or other oral health problems. This care will also help protect your overall health, so it is important that you don’t put it off if possible. 

While your dental benefits may not cover the full cost of this care, they can cover a good portion of the treatment cost. If you’re concerned about the cost of your upcoming dental care, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dental team for support. They may have payment options that make essential care much more affordable and attainable. 

Why Now Is the Time to Book Your Dental Appointment

Even if there are only a few months left in the year, it is never too late to get the most out of your dental benefits. Oral health problems thrive when they go unaddressed and untreated. Choosing to put off care until the new year won’t just let these problems intensify; they can lead to much more complex, severe oral health complications. 

Our Arden Family Dental team doesn’t want anyone to experience the pain, frustration, and anxiety that comes with more complex oral health conditions. That’s why, whether it’s January 1 or December 1, we think you should schedule an appointment with your trusted dental team to protect yourself from this pain. 

Don’t let the date on the calendar dictate whether you reach out to your dental team. Even if your dental benefits are going to reset, choosing to schedule will keep you comfortable and safe from costly, painful conditions. So, don’t put off scheduling for another day. Instead, reach out to a trusted dental team today to get started. 

Tips for Caring for Your Smile Between Appointments

Visiting your dentist isn’t the only way to keep your teeth and gum tissue healthy. The things you do in your everyday routine can also have a major impact on your oral health. If you want to ensure you’re doing everything in your power to protect yourself, make sure you’re doing the following: 

• Brush twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristle toothbrush. 
• Replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three to four months.
• Floss at least once a day to remove tough plaque, food particles, and bacteria. 
• Avoid sipping on juices, sodas, coffees, and wines throughout the day. 
• Drink plenty of water to rinse away harmful oral bacteria and food particles. 
• Limit or eliminate your use of tobacco products.
• Limit your consumption of sticky and hard snacks.
• Wear a mouthguard while playing sports and nightguards if recommended. 

Even individuals following the strictly oral hygiene routine can find themselves dealing with oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. That’s why it’s best to combine at-home care with professional support. With your comprehensive routine and regular check-ins with your dental team, you can trust that you’ll have a strong, healthy smile. 

Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits at Arden Family Dental

At Arden Family Dental, our team wants every patient to get the most out of their dental benefits. Whether you’re scheduling a standard cleaning or need more complex care, we’re here to support you through every service. We understand just how daunting care can be, which is why we go into every appointment with compassion. From your youngest child to aging parents and grandparents, we’re here to support every member of your family.

If you would like to get the most out of your dental benefits this year, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team by submitting an online contact form or calling us at 828-900-9488.