With the holiday season around the corner, your to-do list is likely growing. Buying presents, decorating the house, and planning parties are just a few of the activities you may have on the agenda. Although going to the dentist may not be a top priority, this is the perfect time of year to schedule a checkup. Odds are you have dental benefits you haven’t yet used—and may not be able to take advantage of after January 1. Discover the benefits of using your insurance now below.

Will You Save Money By Using Your Benefits? 

Check your dental insurance coverage to determine whether it runs on a fiscal or calendar year. If it runs on a calendar year, see if your yearly maximum has been met. This is the most amount of money your insurer will pay for dental work that year. It renews annually and won’t rollover—so utilize what you have left now.

Additionally, it may be cheaper to go to the dentist now than it would be after January 1. Dentists must occasionally raise their prices to keep up with inflation and rising costs for tools and supplies. The first of the year is a common point for price hikes.

How to Protect Your Smile

Even if your oral health is in good shape, get your teeth cleaning and checkup now instead of counting on next year's funds to take care of it. You never know when a dental emergency will strike, requiring you to use more of your insurance. You don’t want to exceed your maximum next year. 

Lastly, if a dental problem is bothering you, even if it seems small, fix it quickly. If you don’t, the issue will worsen and require more costly treatment—eating up more of your insurance maximum. For example, a small cavity can be fixed with a filling, but more advanced decay demands a root canal or even a tooth extraction.

Before the year is up, schedule your appointment with Dr. Richard Wells Mittelstadt of St. Clair Dental Center in Anchorage, AK. Known for his caring and compassionate approach, Dr. Mittelstadt and his team provide advanced care in a relaxing atmosphere. They believe in providing their patients with the knowledge they need to manage their dental health and are always happy to answer questions about procedures, insurance, and more. Review their general dentistry services online. For an appointment with the dentist, call (907) 272-9214.