Have you been keeping your teeth in good shape over the years? As you likely know, brushing and flossing are your first lines of defense against cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. That said, two or three visits to the dentist's office each year also help keep your teeth healthy, in our experience. Here are three of the biggest reasons why it pays to schedule regular visits to your local dentist's office.

1. Prevent Avoidable Dental Emergencies

If you ignore dental issues until you need professional intervention, you're effectively resigning yourself to an emergency down the line. Make sure to keep your regularly scheduled appointments! At Otter Creek Dental, we recommend that most of our patients schedule six-month visits for comprehensive exams. Your dentist will be able to keep an eye on your health to ensure no issues catch you off guard.

2. Maintain a Great Smile

Having a great smile is one of the best ways to boost your confidence and self-esteem. When it comes to keeping your smile bright, dental cleanings that remove plaque and tartar buildup are key. If you drink a lot of coffee or smoke cigarettes, consider asking about options for teeth whitening to remove the stains. Your dentist can even help assess your bite to ensure your teeth are working correctly. Our team uses photos to document the progress of any smile concerns.

3. Save Yourself Money

As we've mentioned, when you visit your dentist for dental cleanings and examinations, the team can catch any onset of tooth decay, gum disease, and other potential dental problems. Getting these important visits done on your own schedule may be a lot more valuable than you realize. Did you know that according to the CDC, unplanned dental visits cost people in the U.S. around 34 million working hours every year? Dental emergencies can put you out of commission much longer than a simple visit to the dentist's office. Plus, if you wait until a toothache or another dental problem requires attention, the level of dental care needed is generally more involved. This is precisely why many dental insurance plans cover the cost of regular cleanings and examinations.

Need expert dental care in Hortonville or the surrounding area? Call our team at Otter Creek Dental to schedule a visit with our dentist's office! We're here to protect your teeth and oral health.