The end of the year can be a hectic time. From holiday celebrations to children being home for winter break, the chaos never seems to end. With so much happening, it can be easy to forget to schedule your end-of-year preventative dental exam.
Or even if you remember, you may decide to push it off until the new year — but that might not be in your favor!
If your dental exams are covered through your dental insurance, you need to be mindful of the annual renewal date so it doesn’t expire before you have a chance to schedule your preventative visit. Bridge Creek Dental is here to explain why you should schedule a dental appointment before the end of the year.
Dental benefits don’t rollover
Most dental insurances cover two annual cleanings and one x-ray per year for each individual on your insurance. However, if you only have one visit, you lose out on the missed appointment as the second visit does not roll over to the new year.
Your insurance will be relatively strict with your cleaning, ensuring there are at least six months between appointments — which is why you aren’t able to have three covered preventative cleanings in one calendar year.
Maximize your dental deductible
Your dental insurance has a deductible, which is the minimum amount of money you must pay out of pocket before insurance steps in to cover the rest. Once you have met this allotted deductible, your dental insurance typically covers a percentage of the remaining costs.
If a service you received has allowed you to reach your deductible but still fall short of your annual maximum, it can be extremely beneficial to take care of all your dental needs before your annual deductible resets in the new year.
Changes to your dental plan
Just because your dental plan covered one thing this year doesn’t mean that it’s going to have the same premium or deductible next year. In many cases, changes to your dental insurance policy will likely make it more expensive than the year prior.
To avoid the risk of scheduling an appointment in the new year when your dental benefits may not be as good, it’s best to get into the dentist sooner rather than later.
Dental cleanings are covered
If you have dental insurance, you’re already paying for two annual cleanings and one set of x-rays per year. By skipping your second annual visit, you are essentially paying for a visit that you aren’t using — wasting money that you spent!
Even if you aren’t experiencing problems with your teeth, it’s important to use these cleanings as a preventative measure to avoid issues in the long run.
Small problems can become worse
Although the end of the year can be a crazy time, you should not put off scheduling a dental visit if you are experiencing any dental issues. What could be a minor problem and easy fix now might eventually turn into a costly and painful issue down the line.
Instead, utilize your two annual cleanings each year to catch problems before they become worse.
Call Bridge Creek Dental for preventative dental care
As the year comes to a close, scheduling a preventative dental care visit is a good idea. During the dental cleaning, the team at Bridge Creek Dental can find small problems before they turn into major health concerns such as gum disease and tooth loss.
Instead of letting any oral hygiene issues fester, our top-rated preventative dental care helps you maintain a beautiful, clean smile.
Here at Bridge Creek Dental, we specialize in providing preventive dental care for your entire family. If you or your loved ones are experiencing dental issues, give our team a call to schedule an appointment in Billings, MT.