Perhaps most people you meet would admit that they’ve put off seeing their dentist at some point in their life. Some may only have their teeth cleaned once (instead of the recommended twice) a year, while others may admit they haven’t stepped foot into a dentist’s office in over ten years.
When it comes to the dentist, why do people procrastinate so much? Often, it is not until a dental emergency that some may finally visit a DDS. However, many, many dental emergencies are the culmination of small problems that have snowballed. And sadly, so will the cost of treatment!
Here in Austin, we live in one of the fastest growing cities in the country. People moving here may not think of going to the dentist as their top priority, thus putting it off until months, sometimes years later. This is not an uncommon phenomenon for Texas in general, though. According to a new report, Texas as a state ranks at the very bottom for people who visit their dentist once a year!
Top reasons given for avoiding the dentist
A couple of the top reasons people give for avoiding their dentist are fear and money. When it comes to finances, we can tell you right now that Southwest Smiles offers flexible financing through CareCredit for those who qualify, which means that you can actually put your dental treatment on a payment plan instead of paying for the full cost up front. Many people don’t realize that dental treatment can be broken up by payments, because so many of us don’t even know financing is available!
When it comes to fear, the issue usually lies in a negative previous experience or learning the fear from your family. At Southwest Smiles, Austin dentist Dr. Lakshmi Chittajallu is dedicated to her patients and the oral health of the community. You will notice the difference when you come to Southwest Smiles and see that a caring dentist, and one with long-term experience, makes all the difference.
Importance of your oral health
Perhaps another reason people neglect their oral health is they don’t realize the point, especially if they’re not experiencing any pain or discomfort. However, gum disease is prevalent in the United States, and one of the reasons for this is that people don’t know they have it. Gum disease can go unchecked for years until it develops into periodontitis, which will eventually lead to tooth loss if left unmanaged. Even if you don’t think you need to see the dentist, it is still important to come in once a year for your annual visit and twice a year for your professional teeth cleaning.
When you have a positive experience at the dentist, you are much less likely to procrastinate or put off your annual visit or teeth cleaning. If you haven’t seen a dentist in a while, don’t be shy. Give us a call at Southwest Smiles. You can also schedule an appointment online by filling out our short contact form.