College is an amazing
experience. For most college students, it’s the first time they’re living away from their parents. They take on responsibility for more of their own needs than ever before. No one is there to make you eat a balanced diet, go to bed on time, or do all your homework. Learning how to do these things on your own is a key part of the college experience. In addition to going to class and doing your readings, you should also look at getting your own local dentist. Local dentists are great for helping college students keep their pearly whites gleaming.
Routine cleanings need to stay routine
Getting a local dentist can help you keep routine cleanings routine. Trying to schedule your cleaning for semester breaks is setting yourself up for failure. When you cruise back into your home town, you’re not going to want to get your teeth cleaned. You’ll be catching up on sleep, and catching up with your friends and family. A local dentist will ensure that you can swing by after class one day and get it taken care of. No more trying to squeeze in a tooth cleaning over Christmas.
Getting your teeth cleaned regularly is the best way to ensure your oral health stays tip top. Deep cleaning gets rid of tartar buildup in the places that you can’t reach by brushing. Slack on your cleanings, and you’re slacking on cavity prevention and allowing gum disease to flourish.
Emergencies happen at college
Accidents happen all the time. However, college students tend to be a little more accident prone than most. If you chip a tooth, you don’t want to have to take a ten hour weekend trip to get it fixed. If your hometown is a flight away instead of a drive, you’re definitely not going to be able to see your regular dentist for an emergency fix. The longer you live with a crack, chip, or infection, the more severe it will become.
If you don’t have a local dentist when an emergency happens, you’ll have to go to the first one who can take you. This dentist won’t have any history with your teeth. They won’t know if you have any problem areas or special needs. They also may not be able to make you as comfortable as you’d like to be. In an emergency, you’ll be more comfortable and get better care if you’re going to a dentist who knows you–and your teeth.
College students should get their own local dentist if they’re outside their hometown. Having a local dentist makes it easier to stay on track with your regular cleanings. You knock back tartar build up with scheduled cleanings; miss those and you put your teeth at risk. If an emergency occurs, you’ll get better treatment from a local dentist who knows your teeth. You don’t want to have to go home unexpectedly because you broke a tooth or have an infection. Getting a local dentist is just like learning to cook or do your own laundry. No one is going to make you, but college is the time to learn how.