June 23, 2014

Why You Should Go to the Dentist


I went to the dentist last week.  The last time I'd been to a dentist was at the end of April…2013.  So that was over a year ago.  I never found a dentist in Missouri because, at first,  I didn't know if we'd be there for 9 months or 12 months.  And then it just seemed like too much trouble.  And then, in April, I thought, "I should make an appointment" and I made one in Missouri but it wasn't until the first week of June and then I had to cancel because we made a last minute trip to Tennessee that day.

So, one of the first things I did when we got to Colorado was set myself up a dentist appointment.  

You see, I've been to the dentist every 6 months for my entire life.  Even straight out of college with no health insurance.  Even when we were in Alaska.  I was very faithful about it.  I've never really had many cavities or issues, but my mom instilled it in me:  Go to the dentist.

I brush my teeth at least twice a day, and try to remember to floss (sometimes that's a losing battle).  I have a few white fillings I got back in 2011 because my sealants were worn down and those spaces needed to be filled.  I think I've only ever had one cavity and that was when I was about 8.  As a young child, I kicked a dentist once and I think that's where my indifference toward the dentist began.  I had my wisdom teeth surgically removed when I was 17 and that was a torturous process.  I never had braces, though.

Now that you know my medical history…

I was very specific about my criteria for finding a dentist in Colorado Springs:  I googled "dentist in Fountain, Colorado" because that's the closest town to us.

I picked the first one that came up.

Took a lot of thought.

The hardest part was calling the number.  They made me an appointment for the next day and emailed me the paperwork.  Their system is completely online, which was nice.

I get there, wait a few minutes, they give me a tour of the office, talk to me about everything under the sun, introduce me to all dentists and hygienists that walk by, AND they give me eye protection (read this story and you'll want to wear eye protection at the dentist from now on).  Bonus points.  They also asked (twice) how I heard about them.  I gave them the truth:  Google.

The dentist did a consultation, exam, x-rays, a gingivitis test and then, since all the hygienists were booked, he did the cleaning himself.  I was impressed with the level of customer service!  

This is where we get to the moral of the story:

While I didn't have any cavities, I did have a lot of tartar build-up (gross) because you are really supposed to have your teeth cleaned every 6 months.  There's a reason why it's done that way.  I'm lucky because there were no other issues.  However, if there had been a problem, I'd have no one to blame but myself.

Do you go to the dentist regularly?   I already have my next appointment for December!

(If you're in the Colorado Springs area, I do recommend Fountain Modern Dentistry.  My military health insurance paid for everything, and that hasn't been the case at every dentist I've visited. This is definitely not a sponsored post; I'm just writing about it because I had a good experience in the Springs and wanted to share!)

13 comments:

  1. I love how happy you are in that photo! My insurance only covers every 9 months now (ridiculous in my opinion) but I do try and go regularly, though sometimes I let a little too long go between appointments! My screening process was equally complex, the office was down the hall from my (former) job, I walked in, made an appointment and that was that.
    Happy Monday!

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  2. I'll confess, I haven't been to the dentist in awhile mainly because I don't have dental insurance. I'm not a huge fan either. I haven't had any issues though and I know I'll go the moment I do. I brush many times a day, and just like you, don't always use the floss but its there (and i got the easy one on the stick) but just a hassle. I hope to go soon!

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  3. I love going to the dentist, I finally found a great one and I will be sad to leave.

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  4. You would have been appalled. I just went to the dentist about two weeks ago after not having been since high school....so, ya know, about a decade. It was embarrassing. I've already got another cleaning scheduled, though. Hopefully I'm back on track. ;)

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  5. I wasn't great about going to the dentist for a while, but two years ago I booked an appointment for my husband and myself. I have been consistent since. Thankfully, I didn't have a lot of problems after my hiatus. Glad you found a dentist you like!
    ~Amanda from His and Her Hobbies

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  6. Nothing to do with the dentist...what did you think of True Blood last night??

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  7. I think I've missed one, maybe two, of my 6 month appointments in all my years. I've even started Penny on her 6 months of dentistry for the rest of time. Though they told me I had cavities at the last appointment... liars.

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  9. I do go to the dentist every 6 months. I never had a cavity until I was 29. Even so, it's not because of hygiene. I have pretty deep grooves in my back teeth, and they told me that's just what will happen. So I've had a couple of white fillings since, but those are free with my dental insurance unlike whatever it is they wanted to do to prevent that. lol

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  10. I had never been a regular dentist goer even as a child. I just came off about 9 years of no dentist. Surprisingly I had no cavities, I know. I will never do that again.

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  11. I think tartar build-up is really common, so it's important to go to the dentist to have your teeth cleaned for at least every six months. If you haven't been getting them cleaned, then having tartar should come as no surprise. I, for one, think you have beautiful teeth and it's really nice that you've been taking care of them well. Just make sure to follow up on your dental appointments and get them cleaned regularly. Take care! :)

    Coralie Tauber @ Houston Smile Docs

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  12. Just like you, I also have a specific criteria for dental services. The location is one thing, but the service is especially what I prefer to be at the top. Anyway, I'm glad that you had a satisfactory experience with your dentist, and that your military health insurance covered all of the costs. All the best to you, Kristin! :)

    Mitchell Carlson @ InsureYourCompany.com

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  13. You have a perfect set of pearly whites, Kristin. That smile is just so beautiful. Anyway, it’s really advisable to visit the dentist regularly, especially if you have a complete health insurance, so that you don’t need to worry about the expenses and cost of payment. Well, if your insurance covers it, why not take advantage of it, right? Thanks for sharing that! Stay gorgeous! :)

    Donnie White @ Good Health Quotes

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