Most of us are not careful about visiting our dentists regularly. Doctors recommend visiting your dentist at least twice yearly, every six months. But as per ADA (American Dental Association), about forty-two percent of American adults don’t go to the dental office as often as they would want to.

Not visiting a dental office can be linked to various factors, such as a hectic schedule, anxiety around visiting a dentist, etc. But the primary reason is the cost associated with dental procedures. You might be trying to cut expenses by eating out less, canceling your Netflix subscription, and reducing visits to your dentist. You may be tempted to cancel your dental appointment if you do not have an active tooth problem. 

If you think skipping the appointment can save you money, this article will enlighten you on how this act can actually cost you much more in the long run.

Four Ways Visiting Your Dentist Can Reduce Expenses

Your dental insurance usually covers most regular oral checkups, both preventive and restorative. So by visiting your dentist, you can maximize the amount you pay as insurance. You should check the end of the calendar year for your insurance coverage and schedule a visit to the dentist before it ends. Apart from the insurance part, some of the other ways you can save money by regular visits to your dentist are illustrated below:

1. Gum diseases can be detected early – Periodontal diseases can turn into life-threatening illnesses if they are not detected and treated in time. Fortunately, gum diseases can be prevented and even easily reversed if caught early on. Preventive periodontal disease requires more than just maintaining proper oral hygiene at home. There could be bacteria lurking around nooks and corners of your mouth that you are unable to brush off with regular cleaning. A professional checkup and cleaning can check for signs and symptoms of any gum disease and treat them before it aggravates. If you skip these crucial dental visits, you might end up having gum recession due to the worsening of the problem. This might lead to loose teeth or even tooth loss. When you lose a tooth, you will end up spending much more on restoring it and spend a lot on periodontal therapies, which are not covered by insurance in most cases.
2. Screening for oral cancer – Are you aware that in your bi-annual checkup, the dentist does a screening for oral cancer? Your doctor would carefully examine your mouth, throat, neck, and oral tissues to figure out if they have any abnormal appearance indicative of the deadly oral cancer disease. Oral cancer progresses extremely fast hence missing one appointment would mean you might have to go from early treatment to chemotherapy. Keeping these factors in mind, you not only save money through regular dental visits but also your life.
3. Prevent tooth discoloration – Have you ever thought of your bi-annual visits as just “cleaning” and avoided it? You might be surprised to know that professional cleanings offer huge benefits which are way above just the cleaning process. After the cleaning, most dentists use a special material called prophylaxis paste to polish your teeth. This paste is made up of a gritty and abrasive material that removes discoloration (by disintegrating the spots) that staining foods and drinks (such as tea, coffee, soy sauce, red wine, soda, etc.) have caused over time. Such a clean-up would leave your pearly whites shining brighter and give your self-esteem a much-needed boost. If you skip this preventive therapy, you might have to cough up huge money in cosmetic dentistry to restore your teeth color.
4. Protection against tooth decay and cavities – Even if you are a diligent brush and flosser, you are not infallible. You can still get cavities and tooth decay as our mouth has many difficult-to-reach areas that routine brushing and flossing can not take care of. Professional teeth cleaning can save the day by addressing all such issues and acting as a strong defense against cavities. If you have a cavity, the doctor will do a filling which is usually covered through dental insurance. But if you miss the treatment for a prolonged period, the integrity of the tooth structure will get compromised. Eventually, this will result in more expensive treatments such as root canals, dental crowns, or even extraction. During the routine cleanings, your dentist will be able to remove any lingering tartar or plaque which might have accumulated.

Lastly

Canceling your dental appointment is not an answer to saving money. You not just save money but are also able to maintain impeccable oral health by visiting your dentist regularly.