With the end of 2015 quickly approaching, people around the world are starting to think about their resolution for the New Year. Recent sociological research suggests that some of the most common New Year’s resolutions include losing weight and giving up smoking, which happen to be two very positive and healthy promises. Alas, these resolutions are also the most commonly abandoned within just a few weeks.

Resolutions related to dental care are seldom taken up by New Year’s revelers, and this is an unfortunate omission. People who have not been to the dentist for a while should strongly consider making it a New Year’s resolution; not only is this an easy promise to keep, it can also be one of the wisest in terms of preventive healthcare.

One of the major problems caused by infrequent dental exams is related to periodontics. A dental evaluation involves a thorough examination of all tissue in the mouth, particularly the gum tissue that grows out of the jaws and surrounds the bases of the teeth.

At the Flikier Dental Institute in Costa Rica, dental exams include comprehensive evaluation of periodontal health. This exam entails evaluating the condition of teeth, gums, plaque, bone structure, bite, and the likelihood of disease. Virtually all dental professionals in Costa Rica can perform this exam, but when certain issues are detected, the next step is to have a periodontist evaluate the patient.

Gingival recession is not the only periodontal issue evaluated during a thorough exam; abnormal keratinized tissue growth may indicate a cancer risk, and the uneven distribution of plaque or calculus may lead to an early detection of mandibular bone loss, which can be caused by various reasons. These are serious health issues that must be addressed by a periodontist.

Not all dental clinics include a periodontal specialist in their staff. At the Flikier Dental Institute, this important responsibility is handled by Dr. Ilan Grunhaus, who is a graduate of the Goldman School of Dentistry at Boston University and a member of the American Association of Periodontics.

In the end, a periodontal evaluation could be the healthiest New Year’s resolution you can actually keep in Costa Rica.