No one wants to have a mouthful of cavities. Yet as important as it is to visit the dentist, only about 60% of adults in the US manage to do so at least once per year.
There’s one major factor that causes a third of adult Americans to skip their dentist appointments: dental costs. Many healthcare plans do not cover dental insurance, and if they do, they only cover certain dental procedures. Many people would instead rather just never visit the dentist.
If you are having trouble affording a dentist, you have come to the right place. Keep reading as we discuss how you can keep your dental costs down.
Keep Dental Costs down by Taking Care of Your Teeth
The easiest and most effective way to reduce your costs at the dentist’s office is by taking care of yourself. This means brushing after every meal and actually using floss. You can also go the extra mile with some mouthwash.
Some of the biggest costs associated with dental work are cavity work and other procedures. In the majority of cases, these issues arise because a person did not take care of their teeth. Simply remaining consistent with your dental care can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Keep up with Your Appointments
Following the last point, make sure you don’t skip any dentist appointments. They schedule them every six months for a reason. If you hold off for too long, a dentist may not be able to identify budding problems in time.
If you go every six months, you limit the amount of time that cavities or worse have to form. A dentist can identify the early warning signs, saving you a lot of money by nipping them in the bud early. Oftentimes, the most expensive procedures are the ones from issues that were given time to get worse.
Find a friendly neighborhood dentist that you can trust. Superior Family Dental Care is an excellent place to start.
Don’t Perform Every Treatment That Your Dentist Recommends
A dentist wants to help you with your teeth, but at the end of the day, they are running a business. Their end goal is to make money, so obviously they don’t do their work out of charity. To make more money, they may recommend procedures that are not medically essential.
For example, a dentist may recommend that you get a teeth whitening. This procedure is not necessary and is purely for cosmetic purposes. If you need to save money, then it would be best to skip any dental procedures like teeth whitening that you don’t need.
Have a skeptical mindset. Anytime your dentist recommends something, do your own research first. If it turns out that the dentist was right, then you can come back and perform that procedure as necessary.
Shop around
Unlike medical providers for regular insurance, dentists typically don’t work through networks. This means there is no restriction on which dentist you can visit in the majority of cases. So why not shop around?
There are likely tons of dentists in your area. Rather than going with the largest and most well-known one, you may find a better deal with a smaller practice. Take the time to shop around, ask for prices, and get a feel for things.
The same goes for your insurance. Consider a cheaper insurance provider or even one that provides better coverage. The great thing about insurance is you have many options to choose from just like with your dentist.
Go to a Dental School for Cheaper Treatments
Dental students need a place to start before they begin to practice full-time. Dental schools function similarly to a practice, in that they allow people to come in for regular procedures. Since a dental student will be doing it, it will be cheaper.
You can often get everyday procedures for a fraction of their normal price. Granted, this will not be a professional dentist with their own practice and years of experience. Know that you may be getting substandard care in some cases.
However, it is very unlikely that anything will go wrong. But just to be safe, avoid doing any major procedures at a dental school if you can afford to. Having a cleaning, for example, is very low risk and allows you to save money.
Ask for Financial Assistance or Discounts from Your Dentist
While your dentist is running a business, they understand that times are tough. There’s nothing wrong with asking them for a discount on the procedures that you normally have done. They may take pity on your situation and give you a reduced price for their services.
If not, then you may be able to cut a deal with the dentist. They may dislike working through their insurance provider and would accept cash directly from you instead.
This is a win-win situation for you in the dentist. They end up making more money, and you end up saving money. Considering how obnoxious most insurance companies are, it’s highly likely that your dentist is willing to bargain with you.
Save Money on Your Dental Work Today
Dental costs have never been cheap, and now with inflation, they are more expensive than ever before. Luckily, there are a lot of nifty ways that you can save money on your dental procedures, including finding a cheap dentist. Try out the above tips before you head to your next appointment, and you may just save yourself a considerable chunk of change.
Follow our blog for more ways to save money.
