Dental care is expensive but essential. Is there a way to cut down the cost so that you can take care of your oral health? Read ahead to find out.
Skipping the Dentist to Save Money
Far too many people skip the dentist because of the cost. The problem is that when you skip check-ups at the dental clinic to save money, you’re guaranteeing that you’ll spend more down the line. Ignoring these crucial appointments could leave you with some expensive treatments in the future.
It’s especially important that you go to the clinic when you’re having a dental emergency, even if you’re worried about covering the costs. Ignoring a dental emergency can cost you more in the long run, and it can cause some serious problems — a bad tooth abscess could send you straight to the ER if you don’t address it.
If you don’t have room in your budget to deal with the emergency, turn to credit. You could put it on your credit card. Or you could apply for an online loan to help you take care of the costs and manage repayments afterward. Take a look at this link to find out whether you qualify for online installment loans in Michigan and how to apply. This option is for emergencies only.
For regular, run-of-the-mill dental care, is there a way that you can minimize the costs? Of course. Here are five ways that you can save money on your teeth.
1. Get Insured
Dental insurance is often offered through workplace benefits. See what dental benefits your workplace offers and take advantage of them.
If your workplace doesn’t offer these benefits, you can always apply for personal dental insurance to help you with the costs of basic treatments. Look for insurance plans that allow rollover portions of your unused annual maximum into the next year. This could come in handy.
2. Get a Dental Savings Plan
You should also consider a dental savings plan (aka. dental discount plan). It’s a benefits program that offers discounted services without any deductibles, copays, or caps for appointments. A dental savings plan’s membership fee typically costs less than a dental insurance plan.
3. Ask for a Discount
If the treatment prices are too high for your liking, you could ask the dental clinic if there’s a way that you could get a discount. For instance, lots of clinics offer small discounts to patients who refer a friend or family member.
4. Pick a New Location
Don’t be afraid to shop around and see what clinics work with your budget. And if you want to save even more, you can go to a community health clinic or dental school for your standard treatments. Their prices will be much lower.
5. Take Care of Your Teeth
You’ll need fewer trips to the dentist when you take good care of your teeth. By brushing and flossing regularly, you can avoid expensive treatments like tooth fillings, crowns, extractions, and root canals.
What else can you do to take care of your teeth?
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Quit smoking
- Drink less pop
- Drink less coffee
- Drink more water
- Avoid hard candies
Stop canceling those dentist appointments. Using these tips, you can lower the treatment costs and finally give your teeth the attention they need.