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Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Approximately 77 percent of the American population has some form of private dental insurance, according to data compiled by the National Association of Dental Plans. Are you one of them? Having dental insurance can be a comfort, but you still will have to keep track of factors, such as deductibles, maximum coverage amounts, and whether or not your insurance company will pay for certain treatments. Depending on your insurance provider, certain procedures are considered elective—such as cosmetic dentistry—or even treatments that may benefit your health, such as certain types of preventive care. When it comes to your health and wellness, prevention is always the best defense. Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry wants to explain why our program of preventive care is worth it, even if you don’t have insurance to cover it.
- Preventive care can save you money in the long run
This may seem counter-intuitive at first, but consider this: if a problem with your dental health reaches an advanced stage, you’re going to need a more intensive procedure to correct it. When it comes to dental work, the more involved a procedure is, the more expensive it is going to be. Even if you have insurance, your share of the cost of a procedure usually is based on a fixed percentage. Paying for X-rays or a filling out of pocket might be a hit on your checkbook, but even covering the total cost of one of these procedures may prove less expensive than the cost of a root canal or periodontal treatment from having neglected your teeth.
- Preventive care is a proactive approach
Part of preventive care entails keeping a regular schedule of check-ups with your dentist in Scotts Valley. Each of these check-ups should involve having your teeth and mouth examined for any drastic changes that can be signs of a problem. Your dental check-up also can be a great opportunity for you to ask questions about your oral health or dental hygiene routine. Feel free to ask if you should be doing something differently, or if your dentist can recommend any specific products such as toothbrush types or toothpaste brands you should be using.
- Preventive care protects you against oral cancer
Oral cancer can develop on any tissue in the mouth, including the tongue and the oropharynx—defined as the area of the throat at the back of the mouth. Oral cancer also is more widespread than you might think. It’s the sixth most common type of cancer in the world, according to the National Institutes of Health. An estimated 91,200 Americans are living with oral cancer, with approximately 37,000 new cases of this type of cancer diagnosed each year. Oral cancer also has a fairly high morbidity rate, estimated at about 8,000 deaths annually, because in many cases oral cancer is not diagnosed until it already has reached an advanced stage and begun to spread throughout the body. Drs. Max and Ariana Ebrahimian can perform an oral cancer screening as a standalone appointment, or as part of any regularly scheduled check-up.
- Preventive care can safeguard against systemic health issues
At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, we believe in the mouth-body connection. The condition of your oral health can contribute to the condition of your overall health—in both positive and negative ways. For example, gum disease can be a sign of diabetes, while advanced gum disease can raise your risk of developing cardiac problems. A toothache could develop into an infection that actually could threaten your life. Many of the oral health problems that can impact your overall health are preventable, underscoring the importance of preventive care.
Preventive care in Scotts Valley
Staying in good health starts with you. When it comes to your oral health, that means remembering to brush and floss on a daily basis while keeping up with your regularly scheduled dental appointments. Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry is here to help you and keep you healthy. To learn more about our program of preventive care or our overall philosophy regarding dental treatment, give us a call at (831) 438-4411.
Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry serves our patients in the areas of Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley in California.
