Seeing a Dentist Can Save You Money

Seeing a Dentist Can Save You Money
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary-Jane_Olson]Mary-Jane Olson

Life can be filled with uncertainty and stress, especially when it comes to your financial health. If you are struggling with your budget and are considering avoiding seeing your dentist because money is tight. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), that is not a wise course of action as that may cause serious and more costly dental and health related problems in the long run.

According to ADA representative, Matthews Messina (Chicago Tribune) "If people consider dental care a luxury item, they're shorting themselves. Prevention's always cheaper than fixing problems later." In an interview with the paper, Messina noted that the money people applied toward a teeth cleaning today might be the "$3,000 you save later on a root canal and crown."

While some consumers may balk at having to pay a couple hundred bucks for regular dental check-ups and cleaning, those expenses are quite small when compared to the overall picture. Experts estimate that a full dental restoration can cost anywhere between $4,000 and $80,000, and that price tag is nothing to smile about. That is why preventative dental care may be the smartest move for those on a budget.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), preventative dental care requires several different maneuvers. Not only should people brush their teeth twice a day with a soft bristled tooth brush and fluoride toothpaste, but flossing one a day to remove food particles and plaque is a must. In addition, the ADA recommends patients dental checkups and cleanings two times a year. That move is essential to overall dental health and for catching any tooth decay or problems in the earliest stage of the game. The earlier a dental condition is caught, the less likely it is that thousands of dollars will be needed to repair the damage.

What it boils down to is that people need to maintain their mouths with as much passion as they do with their car. Every car owner knows that automobiles require regular, check ups and maintenance to keep running smoothly, and so does the human mouth. While an oil change for a vehicle may cost around $50, not tending to the fluid and ignoring the issue can damage the engine and greatly increase the costs associated with vehicle ownership. If you value your car enough to get the oil changed and the tires filled, your mouth deserves the same common courtesy. Unlike your teeth, if a car is totaled, you can always buy a new one, as dentistry is a bit more complicated than that.

Even though it may feel like an extravagant expense, seeing a dentist is more money-smart than the alternative. According to the ADA recommendations, people need to get a dental check up twice a year. Backing up the routine with the daily habit of brushing and flossing are also part of the equation.

Families who are searching for ways to save money on dental care may want to consider [http://www.myusadentalcare.com]discount dental plans. These plans, an alternative to dental insurance, offer discounts of 10 to 60 percent on most dental procedures.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Seeing-a-Dentist-Can-Save-You-Money&id=4898985] Seeing a Dentist Can Save You Money