From haunted hayrides to creepy costumes, October is filled with spooky things ready to scare you at every turn. Fortunately, there is one place you don’t have to fear this Halloween season – your dentist’s office! If you’ve had a bad dental experience in the past, are fearful of needles, or simply don’t like the sound of the tools, it is important to not let your dread stop you from attending your bi-yearly appointments. Here’s why frequent visits are important, what can happen if you skip them, and how your dentist in State College can help ease your anxiety!
4 Reasons Bi-Yearly Visits Are Important
From a young age, you are taught a solid oral hygiene routine includes trips to your dentist’s office every six months. But are frequent visits really that important? According to the experts, the answer is a resounding “yes!” In fact, regular appointments:
- Provide your teeth with a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar.
- Catch small dental concerns before they turn into sudden dental emergencies.
- Detect non-dental issues (like oral cancer and osteoporosis).
- Address gum disease in the early stages.
The Dangers of Skipping Your Routine Visits
If your teeth and gums are in pristine condition, then missing one dental exam may not have disastrous effects on your oral health. However, consistently missing visits can wreak havoc on your oral and overall health. Not only can neglected decay move past your enamel and into the inner layers of your tooth, but the bacteria from an overlooked infection can enter your bloodstream and spread to your vital organs. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you attend every bi-yearly visit!
How Your Dentist Can Help with Dental Anxiety
If you struggle with dental anxiety, you may forget one important thing – your dentist’s only goal is to provide you with the high-quality dental care you need. They aren’t interested in passing judgment, and they are happy to do whatever they can to make you feel comfortable during your appointment. If you are struggling to attend your routine visits due to anxiety, don’t hesitate to let them know. From there, they can discuss different tactics available to keep you relaxed at their office.
While dental phobias aren’t inherently bad, the consequences on your behavior certainly can be. To keep your oral and overall health in tip-top shape, talk to your dental team about scheduling an appointment before the end of the year!
About the Author
After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Pittsburg, Dr. Donald Marks completed dental school at the same institution. Three decades later, he has helped numerous patients in State College achieve pristine oral health thanks to his commitment to clinical excellence and genuine care for his patients. If you are overdue for your bi-yearly visit or experience dental fear in State College, don’t hesitate to visit his website or give him a call at 814-234-0329.
