Many people are tightening their purse strings today, cutting unnecessary costs to save money. While oral health may not be top of mind, it’s an essential part of overall health and shouldn’t be sacrificed for the sake of budget.
Putting off certain dental treatments can cause existing conditions or damage to progress, costing you more in the long run.
Continue reading to learn how costs vary for dental care and ways to make care more manageable for your wallet.
What can you do to help keep dental costs down?
Surprises and unpredictable circumstances can happen, but there are ways you can be proactive and try to prevent high dental care costs, including:
- Practicing good oral hygiene: Brush and floss daily and moderate your sugar consumption to keep teeth clean.
- Visit your dentist: Attend regular dental appointments (typically twice a year) to identify and prevent extensive damage or disease.
- Protect your teeth: Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or activities that could cause injury or damage.
- Strategize a treatment plan: Opt for cheaper temporary treatments until you can afford pricier procedures, or spread treatments out over time (with recommendations from your dentist!).
- Enroll in dental insurance: Most dental insurance plans help to cover some of the costs of more extensive restorative procedures like crowns and fillings.
Why are there different prices for dental procedures?
Costs for dental care can vary based on a number of factors, the first being the type of procedure: preventive, basic or major. Preventive treatments like routine cleanings and x-rays are less expensive than extensive treatments like root canals and crowns. This is due to the time and equipment required to perform different procedures.
Prices can vary from one dentist to another, too. Dentists charge for services based on where they’re located, market prices and the cost of doing business (rent, insurance, staff payroll, supplies, etc.). If you’re concerned about costs, compare different dentists in your area, taking into account the procedures you’ll need done in the foreseeable future.
Can you get dental care without insurance?
Most insurance plans cover cleanings and exams 100%, and other care between 20% and 50%. The downside for some is the monthly premium owed to stay enrolled in a dental plan.
You can get any dental procedure without insurance — but this means paying for everything, from preventive cleanings all the way to oral surgery, in full. Dental savings plans are another option for lowering costs, which offer discounts on various services for an annual fee.
Shop affordable dental insurance
Dental insurance is a cost-effective way to take care of your teeth and gums without having too much of an impact on your finances. With the Direct Benefits marketplace, you can find plans in your area that meet your needs and budget.
Take care of yourself and your family and get a quote to browse and compare dental insurance today.