One of the most common reasons why people do not regularly visit their dentist is money. They claim that routine cleanings and checkups are not worth the price. They might even reason that since they regularly brush and floss their teeth, there is no real reason to spend money on preventive dental care. While such arguments might seem reasonable on the surface, they’re actually quite flawed. Let’s take a moment to discuss how regular dental visits can actually save you money in the long run.
Dental Insurance Focuses on Prevention
If you take a look at your dental insurance policy, you may discover that it covers two preventive visits each year. You might even be able to attend these appointments and pay absolutely nothing out of pocket. It’s likely that your policy isn’t so generous when it comes to restorative dental care. You may have to pay a deductible as well as a significant copay for services like fillings, root canal therapy, and crowns. Regular dental visits have the potential to prevent the need for restorative treatments and may therefore save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
No Insurance? It’s Still More Affordable to Prevent Dental Problems
If you don’t have dental insurance, it’s still better for your wallet to keep up with regular visits to your dentist. That’s because most dentists do not charge high prices for routine exams and cleanings. However, when a patient neglects require dental care and ends up requiring time-consuming or delicate repair work, dentists must charge as much as necessary to cover their expenses and maintain their business’ viability.
Ask your dentist if they offer an in-house savings plan. For a reasonable annual fee, you may be able to attend routine oral healthcare visits at no additional cost. The plan might even offer a generous discount on other services, whether they are reparative or cosmetic in nature.
Time Is Money
An average preventive dental appointment may last for around an hour. Immediately after it is finished, you can resume your normal routine. If neglect causes you to develop a serious oral health problem, however, you could end up in your dentist’s office for several hours. Afterward, you might need to take a few days off work to recover. If you don’t have any available sick days, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in lost work time.
Even if you’re diligent about caring for your teeth at home, that’s not a guarantee that your smile will remain healthy. The best way to spare yourself from dental problems and their related expenses is to visit your dentist twice a year for a routine cleaning and exam.
About the Author
Dr. Erick Anderson is a skilled general dentist with a passion for helping his patients lead healthy lives. That is why he is a strong advocate of regular preventive care. If it is time for your next checkup or you have questions about how to maintain your smile, contact us at 719-593-0988.