There’s a saying: “buy nice or buy twice.” You can buy $20 pairs of headphones every month for the rest of your life, or you can buy one $200 set that’ll last for years and sound much better. The same principle applies to dentistry; people who think they’re saving money by avoiding going to the dentist are setting themselves up for needing an expensive procedure down the line. Moreover, if you have dental insurance, the end of the year may be the best time to get your checkup. Here are a few reasons why you should go to the dentist now before problems escalate.
They Clean Where You Can’t
Daily maintenance is essential to good oral health, but that alone isn’t enough. Many small crevices in the mouth can’t normally be reached by brushing and flossing, so dental cleanings are necessary to prevent bacterial buildup. Your dentist will also polish your teeth during checkups, giving them a shine that can be hard to obtain by brushing alone. Frequent polishing can prevent the need for whitening procedures down the line.
Insurance Can Come in Handy
As it turns out, the end of the year is the best time to make use of your dental benefits. Many dental plans have deductibles that reset in January, so you should try and make use of your coverage before then. Moreover, dental plans often have an annual maximum, i.e., the most that they’re willing to pay out within a single year. Getting frequent checkups will make you less likely to exceed that maximum than getting several larger treatments within a shorter timeframe.
Prevention And Early Detection
About 50% of adults have some form of gum disease and the severity of the condition can range from mild inflammation to tooth loss. Gum disease is also degenerative, meaning it will only get worse if left untreated. Regular checkups and cleanings allow your dentist to catch gum disease before it gets worse, and meticulously remove stubborn plaque and tartar so you won’t have to worry about the issue in the first place.
The same goes for tooth decay. Dental insurance companies tend to pay for a lower percentage of major procedures than for minor ones. It costs more to fill a cavity (usually 70-80% covered by insurance) than to go in for routine cleaning (usually 100% covered). It costs even more to replace a tooth, which could be necessary in cases of severe decay.
The way the dental healthcare system is structured, it’s considerably cheaper to prevent an issue than to fix it. If you’re avoiding the dentist for cost reasons, you shouldn’t. You will look better, feel better, and pay less if you make a biannual checkup a part of your routine.
About Our Practice
At D’Andrea and Pantera, DMD, PC, we hope to make nervous patients feel welcome at their dentist’s office. We utilize cutting-edge dental technology to provide people with the most detailed screenings possible. We’re a family-owned office that aims to make everyone who visits us feel at home. If you have any questions about preventive care, you can reach us at our website, or by phone at (203) 288-0951.
