24 Jul Money Tips: Save Money on Dental Care

It’s no surprise that dental work can be costly. The sad reality is that dental costs can continue to increase the longer you put off dental work. Here are some ways you can help to lower your dental costs to get the dental work you need.

Shop Around

Although some dental offices charge roughly the same amount on particular dental procedures, you might be able to find lower prices. You also might be able to get a dental discount plan as well.

Preventative Care

You need to get two cleanings a year. This will help reduce your chances for cavities and other dental issues that arise out of tartar. Tartar is calcified plaque, which can be nearly impossible to remove at home. This is why it’s vital to visit the dentist regularly. Also, if you have existing dental issues, they’ll continue to get worse, and they’ll end up costing more money down the road.

Look Up Dental Schools

You might be able to get your teeth cleaned for free by dental students. The process usually takes longer, because they have to inspect every part of your mouth to ensure a thorough cleaning. However, this process will give you an incredibly clean mouth.

Get Insurance Quotes

Dental insurance plans can range in coverage and features. Some have flexible spending accounts, and some allow two free cleanings a year. You have to see what each dental insurance has to offer you. If you have a thousand to spend on emergency situations, take care of what needs it most, first. Every year, the same thousand should renew, which can be around the first of the year. If you time your dental work the right way, you may be able to work around that amount. For instance, if you are getting a implant done, there is a lapse in time to allow for healing before a crown can be affixed. However, don’t put off anything that’s urgent. You can risk infection to your entire body and incur extra work at a later point.

Brush and Floss Frequently

Regular brushing and flossing go a long way. It’s recommended to brush, at least, twice a day, and many people think they should be good with two brushings. Some people need to brush their teeth more often. Everyone’s mouth is different. While one person can brush twice a day and be fine with that, other people need to brush three or four times a day because their saliva is stickier and creates more bacteria in the mouth. If you are highly susceptible to cavities and other dental problems, use mouthwash and a Waterpik to help you reduce plaque in your mouth and have healthier gums.

Stay Hydrated

People underestimate the power of hydration, but it helps the mouth in a couple of ways. It’s recommended that you drink water for hydration, but other beverages will do. However, you’ll want to avoid sugary drinks. Water helps to rinse the mouth while you drink it, which lowers the potential amount of plaque that can grow in your mouth. It also hydrates the body and lowers the viscosity of saliva, which also helps to reduce bacteria in the mouth.

Eat Healthy Food

Lessening the amount of sugar you eat will help to reduce the amount of plaque in your mouth. Be aware that any carbohydrate can act like a sugar, but complex carbohydrates are less likely to cause you issues. Even some fruit can cause issues because they raise the presence of acid in the mouth, so be sure to rinse your mouth after eating them. Calcium and other nutrients help to provide a healthy mouth and body, which also will help you to avoid dental issues down the road.

Weigh Your Options

Consider your options when you face dental work. For instance, you might need a root canal on a molar that’s at the very back of your mouth. If you don’t need the tooth or have one missing below it, it might be worth your while to get an extraction instead. This can save you roughly $1700 dollars. Some dentists are willing to do inlays or onlays instead of a crown. It depends on your individual needs and what your dentist is willing to do.

There are some ways around dental costs, but you can’t ignore your needs. Try to find temporary fixes while you work out a way to attend to your mouth. For example, you can get a temporary filling or crown, but it’s not a permanent solution. See a dentist as soon as possible.