Going to the dentist twice a year might seem like an order, making some people reluctant to adhere to this schedule. This thing is, by keeping up with proper dental care, you are actually empowering yourself to be in control of your dental health. Here are four reasons proper dental care from someone like Ann L Ortega DDS can actually give you more autonomy in your life.

1. Fewer Emergency Visits

Being able to schedule your dental visits can give you more control over your schedule. Avoiding the dentist until emergencies pop up can cause upheaval in your life. For example, if you have planned the trip of a lifetime, it can be a huge blow to wake up with an unexpected toothache right before your trip. This can cause delays or cancellations just because you didn't keep up with proper dental care. Of course, there is no way to completely avoid dental emergencies, but regular dental visits can help keep these to a minimum.

2. Power Over Your Finances

Preventative maintenance is often covered by insurance, while additional dental work oftentimes isn't. Protect your wallet by staying on schedule. If you avoid the dentist, sometimes trouble can occur and you won't realize this until it is too late. By the time you have a toothache, there is most likely a problem that will need dental work to fix. Catch small dental issues before they turn into big problems.

3. Catching Other Medical Conditions

One usually goes to the dentist more often than the doctor. Indicators of other ailments can be caught by your dentist through routine oral exams. If you are regularly seeing your dentist, they will notice rapid changes, such as receding gums or tooth decay. These might be signs of medical problems that you can deal with right away.

4. Keep Your Smile at Its Best

Society can judge by looks, and your smile is a part of this. If you avoid the dentist, you might be putting your teeth in danger. Keeping your smile looking its best can positively affect they way the world reacts to you, and can help your career endeavors. Don't let your looks suffer just because you avoided the dentist.

Don't let lapsed dental care get in the way of your life and your goals. Going to the dentist can be a drag, but you will eventually put yourself in a position that you will not have control over by skipping appointments. Take control of your oral health by staying on top of your dental visits.