Going to the dentist is an important – but sometimes expensive – visit. Dental health is crucial and can have an impact on your overall health, so you shouldn’t skip going to the dentist because you can’t afford it. But there are some procedures that you can plan in advance, like wisdom teeth removal, which five million Americans undergo each year. So how can you save money on dental visits and procedures? Let’s look at a few of the most simple ways:
Set Strict Budget Goals
If you know you have a dental visit coming up, like a bi-annual cleaning, it’s important to budget for it well ahead of time.
You should know in advance how much your visit will cost, especially if your insurance will cover part of it. And after you know how much you need to save, it’s important to start putting money aside. For example, if every member of your family goes to the dentist every six months, you can easily budget for these visits by putting some money into a savings account each month.
With specific and strict budget goals, you should have no problem saving up. This can help stick to a credit card utilization ratio below 30% of the original credit limit, which the data analytics company, Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), recommends. And it can always be beneficial to put away more than needed in case of an emergency procedure. Having that extra money set aside can come in handy when someone cracks a tooth or needs a cavity filled.
Ask if Procedures Are Necessary
There are certain procedures at the dentist that may not actually be necessary. Before getting anything other than a normal cleaning done, ask if the procedure is really necessary. For example, ask if x-rays or other services are simply recommendations, rather than a necessary requirement. And while it’s important to take your dental health seriously, you may simply not have the money to spend on extra services. So when in doubt, ask your dentist what you actually need done. And if your dentist says you need something done, ask for multiple treatment options so you can choose the most reasonable one. Never be afraid to ask for treatment options. After all, it’s your money being spent and you should have a say in what you spend it on.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Keeping your teeth in good condition will help you save money on dental services. Simply brushing your teeth with a good toothpaste, using mouthwash, and flossing every day, keeps your teeth healthy and strong. And when you do this, you eliminate the need for getting dental procedures done. Think about that the next time you eat a bunch of sugar without brushing your teeth afterward! Keeping your teeth healthy is the easiest way to save money at the dentist.
You should never skip going to the dentist to save a little money. By following these simple tips, you’ll be able to budget for and afford dental visits as necessary.
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The point about having good dental hygiene making your trips to the dentist less frequent really resonates with me. My kids have had a lot of cavities and I feel like I’m in the dentist’s office with them about once a month. If they would only improve their brushing habits, then I could save both me and the dentist some time!
Years ago, our dentist said to always rinse our mouths with water after eating ANYTHING. This rinsing became part of our regular routine, and our kids had no cavities until they were in their twenties (and then just ONE). The dentist also gives a 5% discount for payment at time of svc., so we save a little that way, too. :o)
Lauren, I’m convinced that susceptibility to cavities is genetic and dependent on mouth chemistry.
I say that because I’ve never had a cavity in my 58 years, although more often than not I only brush once per day. (I know … please don’t shame me.)
More importantly, my hygienist loves me because I accumulate very little tartar (making her job a breeze), despite my very spotty flossing habits!
On the other hand, my wife has to go to the hygienist three times a year because the tarter builds up on her teeth extremely fast – despite the fact that she constantly flosses and brushes three times a day.
Life isn’t fair.
You are ignoring predatory dentists. Have a cavity filled every time you go to the dentist? It may not be you, it may be the dentist harvesting money for non existing cavities. My friend complained that each time his family went to the dentist the four children had one or two cavities even though they brushed regularly. I sent him to my dentist and what do you know, the first annual visit for the entire family including parents they had not a single cavity. The second year not one of the six of them had a cavity either. They had been cheated out of thousands of dollars and their teeth drilled for no reason except to generate extra income for a predatory dentist. If you always have a cavity or two when you visit the dentist, get a second opinion before you let him / her drill. Use the excuse that you are short on money, refuse to have cavity treated and go to a dentist who treats a friend with “good teeth” who rarely has a cavity and see what the verdict is. My Mother was a victim of a predatory dentist.
Yikes! That is scary to know there are dentists out there like that, Karen. 😧