{"id":407,"date":"2022-01-02T14:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T14:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/?p=407"},"modified":"2025-04-30T13:50:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:50:47","slug":"why-schedule-dental-checkup-early-in-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/why-schedule-dental-checkup-early-in-year\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons to Schedule a Dental Checkup Early in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_142995929__1643813507_81322-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up side view of patient\u2019s face during her dental checkup\" class=\"wp-image-409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_142995929__1643813507_81322-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_142995929__1643813507_81322-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/AdobeStock_142995929__1643813507_81322.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The beginning of the year is a busy time for most people. Whether you are preparing tax documents, working hard to keep your New Year\u2019s resolutions, or occupied by other activities, a visit to your dentist might be the last thing on your mind. However, the start of the year is actually the perfect time to schedule a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">dental checkup<\/a>. Let\u2019s talk about 5 reasons why that is the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"maximize-your-dental-insurance\">Maximize Your Dental Insurance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common for dental insurance policies to cover two preventive appointments each year at 100%. Sadly, many people do not attend both of those appointments. That might wait until June, July, or later to schedule their first checkup, which means they won\u2019t have enough time left in the year to wait six months and schedule their second one before their benefits expire. Arranging for an appointment in January or February leaves plenty of time for you to attend another one later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"meet-your-deductible\">Meet Your Deductible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s common for dental plans to come with a deductible that you have to meet each year before your benefits start to cover approved services. For some policies, the deductible doesn\u2019t apply to preventive care. However, if your dentist finds a small issue during your exam, such as a small cavity, getting it treated right away can enable you to meet your deductible \u2014 and more importantly, it will prevent a little problem from becoming a big one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"protect-your-smile\">Protect Your Smile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Plaque is a sticky, bacteria-filled substance that continually forms on teeth. It is easy to brush off. However, if it stays on the teeth for too long, it hardens into tartar, which is impossible to remove without the help of a dental professional. Tartar is often a big factor in the formation of cavities. Attending regular cleanings and checkups to get that tartar removed leaves you with a fresh smile that is at a lower risk of future problems<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-started-on-new-habits\">Get Started on New Habits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have any goals for 2022 that relate to your oral health? For example, perhaps you plan to floss more regularly, quit smoking, or change your eating habits. Your dental team can help you. They are always happy to offer advice on things like oral hygiene techniques, product recommendations, and more. Visiting them early in the year can give you a leg up on reaching your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"set-a-good-example\">Set a Good Example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have kids, your example is your most powerful way to teach them. When you visit your dentist early in the year, you show them that your oral health is important to you. As they grow up and start making more of their own decisions, they will be more likely to follow in your footsteps and take great care of their smile throughout their adolescence and adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you scheduled your first dental checkup of 2022 yet? If not, do it soon! You\u2019ll be able to use your insurance to the full, safeguard your oral health, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Meet the Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three talented, highly skilled dentists at 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century Dental of Irving are pleased to offer a range of general dentistry services. We welcome patients of all ages for preventive care, and we are ready to help your family take full advantage of your PPO insurance plan. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.21stcenturydental.com\/contact-us.html\">give us a call<\/a> at 972-255-3712.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The beginning of the year is a busy time for most people. Whether you are preparing tax documents, working hard to keep your New Year\u2019s resolutions, or occupied by other activities, a visit to your dentist might be the last thing on your mind. However, the start of the year is actually the perfect time [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Reasons to Schedule a Dental Checkup Early in 2022<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Attending a dental checkup early in the year helps you maximize your insurance benefits and take great care of your teeth and gums.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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