If you are not currently experiencing a toothache or other dental pain, it can be tempting to skip going to your next regular dental checkup. Avoiding the dentist not only saves you free time but also money – right? WRONG! Preventive dentistry not only benefits your dental and overall health – it can benefit your wallet, too. Avoiding regular trips to a dentist in McKinney may save a few dollars in the short term but can be costly in the long run. Skeptical? Find out more below.
How Preventive Dentistry Can Save You Money
Dental appointments can seem inconvenient now, but regular trips to the dentist can ensure that small dental issues are identified early on and treated before they develop into larger, most costly problems. Here are a few examples of how avoiding routine dental appointments can cost you in the long run:
- Tooth Decay – Tooth decay is far easier to manage when diagnosed by a dental professional at an early stage. Without regular dental checkups, tooth decay could progress to the underlying layers of a tooth. At that point, costly root canal therapy is the only way to save the tooth.
- Gum Disease – Gum disease is curable in its earliest stage, called gingivitis. However, if gum disease progresses to an advanced stage, it is only possible to manage the symptoms and keep it from progressing further. Gingivitis is very preventable with regular dental care, which is less expensive than costly procedures to manage advanced gum disease.
- Tooth Loss – Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Maintaining natural teeth through good oral hygiene and regular trips to the dentist is certainly less costly than replacing lost teeth with dental implants, bridge or dentures.
- Whole Body Health Issues – The mouth is the door to the whole body, so any dental trouble can have a domino effect on one’s health. For example, research has linked gum disease to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Preventing gum disease not only will keep your mouth healthy, but it may also prevent serious and costly health issues later on in life.
As made clear above, prevention is always the best model – both medically and financially.
Spend Less Now to Save More Later
Patients with dental insurance pay a monthly premium, so it only makes sense to take advantage of the insurance benefits for which they are already paying. Many dental insurance plans fully cover preventive care, meaning patients do not have to pay out of pocket for dental exams, cleanings and the X-rays received during routine dental checkups.
Even if a new patient does not have dental insurance, many dentist’s offices will work with them to manage the costs of treatment through affordable and flexible payment plans.
Accessing affordable preventive dental care in the present will save you a lot of money and stress in the future. So the next time you are considering skipping a trip to the dentist, think twice, and your future self will thank you!
About the Practice
At OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics, patients of all ages – from grandparents to young children – can receive quality dental care that meets their needs. The husband and wife pair of Dr. Nathan Coughlin and Dr. Christine Coughlin are committed to helping all patients smile by ensuring they can access comprehensive dental care at affordable rates. If you want to learn more about OakBrook Dental & Orthodontics, visit their website today or call the office at 469-526-4040.