Now that 2026 has begun, you’re probably considering what steps you could take to improve your health and your overall well-being in the coming year. If you’ve been worried about the state of your smile lately, then you might want to think about scheduling a preventive dental checkup and cleaning as soon as possible. By paying your dentist a visit early in the year, you can enjoy the following benefits.
You Can Meet Your Dental Insurance Deductible Sooner
Dental insurance can help you save a lot of money on important dental treatments. However, many insurance companies will only help pay for your care after you’ve met your annual deductible. If your insurance plan operates on the calendar year, then your deductible is reset every January 1st. The sooner you set up an appointment with your dentist, the sooner you’ll be able to meet your deductible and start taking advantage of your benefits for 2026.
You Can Have Dental Issues Caught While They’re Small
Many oral health issues, such as cavities and gum disease, develop silently. That means they often don’t cause pain or other obvious symptoms in their earliest stages. Consequently, you may not realize that there’s anything wrong inside your mouth until serious damage has already been done.
Scheduling an early-year dental checkup will give your dentist an opportunity to identify issues in your mouth while they’re still small. Addressing such issues now could help you avoid more severe threats to your oral health later.
You Can Learn About Areas Where You Could Be Brushing Better
Even if you’re diligent about brushing your teeth every day, there might be a few spots in your mouth that aren’t getting cleaned as thoroughly as they should. During a routine checkup, your dentist can identify areas on your teeth where plaque and tartar have built up. Once you know where these areas are, you can focus on giving them more attention while brushing, which can help you maintain a cleaner smile for the rest of the year.
You Can Help Your Smile Look Its Best
Have you ever thought that your teeth look a bit brighter after a dental cleaning? That’s because the process involves removing surface stains from your enamel and polishing it afterward. In short, visiting the dentist could go a long way toward helping your smile look its best at the start of the new year.
In short, there are plenty of reasons to set up your first dental appointment of the year as early as possible. If you’re ready to schedule your next visit, don’t hesitate to contact your dental office today!
About the Author
Dr. Joyce Warwick has decades of dental experience, having graduated from dental school in 1987. She completed a General Practice Residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown, OH, and she is a Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies. At her Pittsburgh practice, Warwick Dentistry, she is dedicated to helping patients avoid gum disease and other oral health issues. If you would like to schedule your first dental appointment of the year with Dr. Warwick, you can visit her website or call (412) 391-1130.