Recently you’ve been going over your annual expenses and wondering whether you could afford to skip dental appointments. Surely you can get the same benefits from brushing diligently and save money at the same time? Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth; if you don’t visit your dentist every six months, it could end up costing you a lot more in the future. The following post explores why keeping up with your regular dental appointments is the smarter financial option.
What Happens During Your Regular Dental Appointments?
When you go to your dentist for a checkup and cleaning, the dental team will ask you about any concerning symptoms you may have noticed in your mouth lately. They’ll then carefully examine your teeth and gums for signs of decay or disease; sometimes they might also take X-rays. If any plaque or tartar is found, it will be removed. At the end of the appointment, your dentist will explain any problems that were found and give you recommendations for follow-up treatments.
How Can Your Dental Appointments Save You Money?
So how are these visits good for your bank account? There are several reasons:
- It allows your dentist to look for gum disease. When left untreated for too long, gum disease can lead to severe dental problems such as tooth loss; by having the issue identified early, you can potentially avoid needing to pay for replacement teeth and advanced periodontal therapy.
- It helps you avoid tooth decay. There are certain parts of your smile that are hard to reach with a regular toothbrush, and it’s not uncommon for cavities to form in these areas. Removing the harmful substances from your smile lowers your risk of tooth decay so that you’re less likely to need root canal therapy, dental crowns, and other potentially costly treatments later on.
- It lets you use your dental insurance benefits. While most insurance plans will partially cover various types of restorative care, they typically offer better coverage for preventive treatments. In fact, it’s not uncommon for your insurance company to pay 100% of the cost of a routine visit and cleaning! As such, visiting your dentist twice a year gives you an easy way to maximize your insurance benefits while protecting your smile at the same time.
Visiting your dentist every six months isn’t just good for your teeth; it can help you keep the costs of your oral health care under control. If you can’t remember the last time that you had a dental appointment, there’s no time like the present! Reach out to a practice near you to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning. Don’t forget to ask about the payment options they offer to help make your visit as affordable as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Venn Peterson graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and today he is a member of the Thurston/Mason County Dental Society as well as the Washington State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. His Lacey practice, Peterson & Cammack Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, offers a variety of payment options and accepts many different insurance plans. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Peterson, visit his website or call (360) 459-4420.