A trip to the dentist can be expensive. However, there are ways in which you can reduce your dental bills. Below are just a few ways to save money on trips to the dentist.
Don’t ignore that toothache
Toothaches rarely go away simply by ignoring them. In most cases, the pain will get worse. Not only this, but the cost of getting it treated could increase too. A small infection can usually be treated cheaply with a dose of antibiotics. However, if you let it spread, you’re likely to require root canal treatment or a tooth extraction, which is a lot more unpleasant and a lot more expensive.
Go for annual checkups
Annual checkups can help to detect dental problems early. This could allow you to get treatment early. Even if you don’t have any pain or discomfort, there could be issues such as hidden build-ups of plaque that a dentist may be able to spot before they lead to possible decay. Check-ups are often cheap so are worth it.
Consider dental insurance
Dental insurance can help to make dental treatment more affordable. This is particularly the case with major dental cover, which can pay for any major treatment for you. You’ll have to pay a monthly insurance fee of a few dollars, however this is likely to be much more manageable on a tight budget than having to fork out hundreds of dollars for a single procedure. It could be particularly useful for paying for emergency treatment, which you won’t have time to save up for.
Shop around for dental treatment
A lot of people register with one dental practice and never try anywhere else. However, it can sometimes be worth considering other dental practices - especially when it comes to major treatment. Different clinics are likely to charge different rates. You may be able to pay less at another clinic for a certain procedure. If you know exactly what kind of treatment you need, you may be able to get a price quote over the phone. It may not be worth the hassle with cheap routine treatment.
Look after your teeth
By far the best thing you can do to save money on dental care is to look after your teeth. While dental problems can sometimes be out of our control, the majority are preventable.
Good dental hygiene could prevent you from having to spend money on fillings, crowns and other treatment to tackle decay. Make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time. Some people find that they’re able to clean their teeth more easily by investing in an electric toothbrush, however a manual toothbrush could be just as effective.
You should also protect your teeth when playing sports like hockey or martial arts. Major dental reconstruction is certain not to be cheap. Buy a fitted gum shield to protect your teeth if there’s any risk of losing them while practicing your sport.
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