It’s that time of year again… time to “spring forward” by setting the clock ahead one hour. Before you get all panicky thinking about losing an hour of sleep in an already too-short day, remember that moving your clock forward actually gives you an extra hour of daylight to enjoy!

Longer daylight hours generally give us more time to do the things we want to do. So, what will you do with that extra hour of daylight? There are a lot of things you could probably think of that you need to do. But extra time is like found money, it’s a windfall that you can use on something you just want, without feeling guilty.

So, here are some guilt-free suggestions on how to use that extra time.

Has it been a while since your last dental checkup? We get it – life gets busy. You’re keeping up with your brushing and flossing, not experiencing any pain, and your teeth look fine, so does it really matter?

The truth is that avoiding or skipping regular dental checkups could potentially put your otherwise healthy mouth at risk for gum disease. In cases of advanced gum disease, bacteria in the mouth could potentially travel through the bloodstream, which could be a link to more serious conditions, including heart disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., causing more than 610,000 deaths annually in the U.S. alone. Research suggests that heart disease and stroke may be linked to inflammation and infections caused by oral bacteria. Thus, a person with moderate to advanced gum disease may be at greater risk.