Dental Checkups: A Small Cost to Avoid Big Expenses Later

You might be considering skipping your visit to the dentist or canceling an upcoming checkup if it falls at a bad time. Whether you’re tight on funds or just want to save some money, it can be tempting. However, doing so can actually end up costing you more in the future. You might ask, “How?” Here’s how visiting your dentist twice a year can help you save money on expensive treatments.

What Goes on During a Routine Dental Visit

Regular checkups and cleanings are a great way to maintain your oral health. Your dentist can monitor any changes and identify potential concerns. Whether it’s through X-rays or what they notice when cleaning off plaque and tartar, they can see any red flags before they start impacting your dental health.

Your dentist is trained to detect the signs of oral issues, such as gum disease and tooth decay, among others. By going to your appointments every six months, they can stop these issues early, preventing them from becoming a bigger problem.

Preventive Dental Care That Saves You Money

These routine visits are considered preventive care, as they help prevent major oral health problems. Having consistent appointments can ensure that your dentist catches any concerns in their early stages. Dental issues can’t be resolved on their own, so when left to their own devices, they can become a big problem that can only be solved through necessary and expensive treatments.

Treating issues like gum disease and damaged teeth early can stop them from causing harm and needing more services to fix them. Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss and the need for dental implants, while damaged teeth can become infected, requiring a root canal and a dental crown. The latter treatments can easily range from several hundred to even thousands of dollars, compared to the couple hundred dollars cost of preventive dental care.

How Your Dentist Can Make Visits More Affordable

If you’re still worried about affording regular visits to the dentist every six months, they may have some options that can help you, such as accepting dental insurance! With nearly every dental plan, they can cover 80-100% of the costs of regular checkups twice a year. That way, you can focus on getting the preventive care you need while avoiding future expensive issues.

Aside from that, your dentist may even offer CareCredit financing or in-house membership plans. The first option allows you to break down dental treatments into small monthly installments, making them more affordable to fit your budget. The latter is a one-time yearly payment that can cover two regular cleanings, some X-rays, and even offer a discount on treatment fees!

Some dentists even accept Medicaid and CHIP, which focus more on covering preventive care. If you have kids, then you can take a sigh of relief knowing that their visits won’t put a dent in your wallet.

If you’ve been delaying your dental appointment, it’s best to visit sooner rather than later. Even if you don’t have dental insurance, routine visits can be more cost-effective than trips that require more expensive treatments. Your dentist is here to help you, so give them a call, and they can get you scheduled or answer any questions you have about payment options.

About the Practice

At Real Dental, our team of dentists is dedicated to giving you quick and efficient care. We are here when you need regular cleanings and checkups so little problems don’t spiral into bigger ones. We are in-network with Delta Dental and accept all PPO insurance plans. We even accept Medicaid and CHIP. We work with your insurance to ensure you receive maximum benefits when we plan your treatments.

If you don’t have dental insurance, we offer CareCredit financing and an in-house membership plan to make visits to our office more affordable. Whether you need a routine visit or have any questions, schedule an appointment or call us at (817) 406-7239.