Fall Dental Checklist: What to Book Before the Holidays

By Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS. Updated October 2026.

The best things to book this fall are a cleaning and exam, any filling or crown you have been putting off, and a quick check for anyone in the family who has not been seen this year. October is the month to do it, because the calendar gets crowded fast once November arrives and most dental benefits reset on January 1.

I say this every year, and every year the December schedule fills up with people who wish they had called in October. So here is the list I would work through if I were sitting in your chair.

Book Your Cleaning and Exam Now

If it has been six months or more since your last visit, that is the first call to make. A routine exam and cleaning takes about an hour, and it is the appointment that catches small problems while they are still small. A cavity found in October is a filling. The same cavity found next spring may be a crown, or worse.

Fall is also a good time because summer travel is over, kids are back in a school routine, and most people have a predictable week again. Morning slots go first, so if you want one, do not wait.

If you are not sure how often you personally need to come in, the short answer is that six months works for most people, but some need more frequent visits and a few can stretch it. Ask at your visit and we will tell you which group you are in.

Finish Any Treatment You Already Know About

This is the big one. If you were told in the spring that you need a filling, a crown, or a deeper gum cleaning, and you have not scheduled it yet, now is the time. Two reasons.

First, dental problems do not stay still. A small cavity keeps growing. A cracked tooth keeps cracking. Waiting rarely makes the treatment simpler or cheaper.

Second, if you have dental insurance, your annual maximum almost always resets in January. Any unused portion is gone. If you have already met your deductible this year, finishing treatment now costs you less out of pocket than starting over in January with a fresh deductible.

Crowns and Multi-Visit Work Need Lead Time

A crown usually takes two visits a couple of weeks apart. An implant takes months. If you start in early October, a crown is done well before Thanksgiving. If you start in mid-December, you may be eating holiday dinner with a temporary.

Check Your Benefits and Flexible Spending Account

Call your insurance or log in to their portal and find two numbers: your remaining annual maximum and whether your deductible has been met. Most plans cover two cleanings a year at little or no cost, so if you have only used one, the second is essentially already paid for.

If you have a flexible spending account through work, those funds often expire at year end too, though some employers allow a short grace period or a small rollover. Dental treatment is a qualified expense. It is a shame to lose that money because nobody looked at the balance until December 28.

We can help you figure out what is covered. Our front desk in Clovis does this every day. Just call and ask.

Get the Kids In Before the Sugar Season

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the December holidays run back to back. That is roughly two months of more candy, more sticky foods, and less routine. A checkup in October means any early decay gets caught before the sugar season starts, and it gives your child a fresh reminder about brushing from someone who is not their parent.

If you have a young child who has never been to the dentist, the general guidance is by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth. I wrote more on that in when should a child first see a dentist. Older kids and teens can be seen the same day as their parents, which saves a trip.

Deal With the Small Things You Have Been Ignoring

Almost everyone has one. A tooth that twinges with cold. A spot that catches floss. Gums that bleed a little when you brush. A rough edge your tongue keeps finding. None of these feel urgent, so they get pushed to next month, then the month after.

Fall is a good time to bring the whole list. Write it down before your visit. Sensitivity to cold usually has a findable cause, and bleeding gums are almost always an early, reversible stage of gum disease. The American Dental Association has a helpful rundown of what a regular visit should cover, if you want to know what to expect.

Restock Your Home Supplies

This one is easy. Replace your toothbrush or brush head if it is older than three months or the bristles are splayed. Check that you actually have floss in the house. If you use a fluoride mouthwash, make sure you are not out. If you have a nightguard, look at it. Cracks, holes, or a chalky surface mean it is time for a new one.

If you are traveling over the holidays, put together a small kit now: travel brush, floss, a tube of paste, and any temporary dental cement from the drugstore if you have a crown that has ever come loose. Packing it in October means you will not be searching for it on December 23.

When to See a Dentist

Book a routine exam this month if it has been six months or more, if you have any known treatment pending, or if anyone in the family has a nagging symptom on the list above. If something hurts now, is swollen, or a tooth is broken or loose, do not wait for a checklist. Call our emergency line and we will get you in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I see the dentist before the holidays?

Most dental insurance annual maximums reset on January 1, so any unused benefit is lost. Fall also gives you enough time to finish two-visit treatments like crowns before holiday travel, and the December schedule fills up quickly.

What dental work should I do before my insurance resets?

Start with anything already diagnosed, such as fillings, crowns, or deep cleanings, since those problems tend to grow while you wait. If you have not used your second covered cleaning of the year, book that too. Your insurance portal or our front desk can tell you how much of your annual maximum remains.

Can I use my FSA for dental work?

Yes, most dental treatment is a qualified flexible spending account expense, including cleanings, fillings, crowns, and implants. Many FSA balances expire at year end, though some plans allow a short grace period or a small rollover. Check with your employer for the exact deadline.

How long before the holidays should I book a crown?

A crown usually takes two visits about two weeks apart, so starting in early or mid October leaves plenty of room. Starting in December risks spending the holidays with a temporary crown. Implants take several months, so those should be planned even earlier.

Ready to Get Ahead of the Holidays? Dr. Mirzaeian Can Help

October appointments are easier to get than December ones, and any work you finish now uses this year’s benefits instead of next year’s. Whether it is a cleaning, a crown you have been postponing, or a first visit for a child, contact us to set up a consultation and we will find a time that fits your schedule.

Lovik Mirzaeian, DDS has achieved extensive training in multidisciplinary dental treatments. His credentials include Dental Implants, Cosmetic Dentistry, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, and Sleep Sedation. Our office puts your comfort and smile first, and we are dedicated to giving you top-notch dental care. Get ready to show off your perfect smile!

Looking for a trusted family dentist in Clovis? Dr. Mirzaeian welcomes new patients of all ages.