Raleigh Family Dentistry Tips for a Tough Economy

The Raleigh – Cary metropolitan area has perhaps fared slightly better than other areas of the state in terms of unemployment, but the latest figures show that unemployment in this area are up slightly – from 8.3 to 8.4 percent in June, 2010. In our area, that translates to more than 47,000 people! If you’re one of those, here are a couple of things to keep in mind…

About Regular Checkups

Dental care doesn’t “defer” easily. Try to maintain regular check-ups for all family members if at all possible. A small cavity can be filled relatively inexpensively. Left untreated, it could require a costly root canal and crown. If you’re a new patient, you’ll probably find that I spend a lot more time looking for oral cancer during your checkup than other Raleigh family dentistry practices. It’s more than worth it to me to take the extra time because it’s helped me catch cases early. (Not only is treating advanced oral cancer costly. The Oral Cancer Foundation also says that nearly half of those being diagnosed will not be alive in 5 years. It’s deadly because people don’t normally detect it themselves until it’s in advanced stages.)

About Prevention

As a Raleigh family dentistry practitioner, I can say we’d rather not see any cavities. The cost of preventing most cavities and gum disease is very low. Studies continue to identify ways that poor oral health triggers other general health issues, emphasizing the need to do your part to preserve your oral health. For each family member, annual oral hygiene costs (for twice a day cleaning) are very reasonable. All the items you need for that are:

• Toothbrushes – While sonic toothbrushes are effective, using a manual toothbrush properly at least twice a day is fine. Changing to a new toothbrush every 3 months as we recommend, you’ll need 4 toothbrushes for each family member.
• Toothpaste – Assume one tube of toothpaste per person per month. That’s a generous amount – you don’t need to cover the entire toothbrush!
• Floss – Using 18 inches of floss once a day, one person would use 3 average containers a year, with quite a bit left to spare for extra flossing. We recommend flossing at least once a day.

And regular cleaning can also help you flash a fresher, brighter smile on your next job interview – something that might subconsciously tip the scales in your favor!