When money’s tight, your semi-annual trip to the dentist might be on the chopping block. On paper, that math works out in your favour. Skipping a simple cleaning means you don’t have to pay a $200 fee. You also won’t be forced to pay extra to fix any issues — cavities, abscesses, and decay — that require costly x-rays or surgery.
Unfortunately, what makes sense for your budget today won’t always be true tomorrow. Ignoring something wrong with your mouth can lead to even more expensive bills down the line.
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Delaying Basic Dental Care Can Lead to Dental Emergencies
Regular dental cleaning keeps your teeth free of plaque and tartar. Left untreated, plaque will damage your enamel and gums and can lead to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.
Eventually, that twinge whenever you chew on your right side will keep getting worse until you can’t ignore the pain. When you finally give up and see a dentist, you’ll pay a lot more than if you went as soon as it developed.
According to the vice president of the Health Policy Institute at the American Dental Association, Marko Vujicic, people who skip regular dentist appointments usually find themselves in emergency rooms paying out of pocket for infections.
Vujicic calls these trips “highly wasteful… [and] a very inefficient way to spend dollars”.
Don’t believe him? Check out these popular dental emergencies and their costs:
- Crown: $1,000–$1,400
- Filling: $170–$320
- RootCanal: $520–$1,220
- ToothExtraction: $180–$540
Get the Necessary Treatments
While it might be hard for your budget to deal with dental issues immediately, you’ll save a lot of money down the line by avoiding an emergency.
Don’t debate between getting a cavity filled or saving money. If you don’t have the savings right now to cover dental care, turn to a lender like Fora for help. They may offer a convenient emergency line of credit online, which you can use when your savings fall short of urgent care.
Before you apply, check out how a Line of Credit from Fora works in more detail. This way, you can determine whether an online line of credit works for your dental situation.
Know When It’s Okay to Say “No”
If you regularly practice good oral hygiene and aren’t in pain, you can be discerning with the care you receive. In fact, it’s a good idea to ask whether a screening or procedure is necessary.
X-rays, in particular, may be skippable, which could save you $200 and $300 per visit. According to Jay Friedman, a dental adviser to Consumer Reports, x-rays are routinely abused by dentists. If you don’t have any current concerns, you don’t need x-rays with every visit. You can update them safely every two to three years.
Take Better Care of Your Teeth
One of the best ways to avoid issues with your teeth is by practicing good oral hygiene. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. You should also consider the types of foods you eat. Limit how often you eat acidic foods and sugary drinks, as these can wear down enamel and cause plaque to grow.
Bottom Line:
Don’t gamble with your dental health to save a few bucks on cleanings. Missing these routine appointments puts you at risk of significant oral health issues and, more importantly, even bigger bills.
