The bad news is that dental care is expensive. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that yearly dental expenses average a devilish $666 a year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) add that one-third of Americans cannot pay medical bills of any kind, including dental bills. The good news is that saving money is possible to get good dental care.
Free and Low-Cost Clinics
If you already have a dentist, ask about free or pro bono clinics in the area. There may also be low-cost services. If you are on Medicaid or Medicare, these services should be able to find you a low-cost dentist. Another good government department to check out is the Bureau of Primary Health Care at 1-888-Ask-HRSA. Also, check out the ADA to see if any dental schools in your area hold free or low-cost clinics. They are able to offer services at such low prices because dental students are the ones working on you.
The big drawback to free clinics is that they sport unpredictable schedules. When one is announced for your area, drop everything and go. Expect to spend the whole day there as it will be busy. If the clinic is located in a spot in an impoverished area like the Appalachians, get there the night before and sleep in the car if possible.
Consider Dental Insurance
Dental insurance, usually separate from health insurance, is a good way to save money on emergency dental care, like an abscessed tooth. Are you a member of a group like AARP or a college graduate? Members of some groups qualify for insurance discounts. Insurance is best for people with a history of bad teeth, those who love playing tooth-risky sports like hockey, and those working in risky situations to the face, such as people who work with large animals known for powerful kicks, such as horses or cows.
Get quotes and crunch the numbers to see if dental insurance is best for your situation. If you have years of no cavities, have all your teeth, do not have gum disease and do not engage in risky activities, and have no children, then dental insurance may not be worth it. Everyone should see the dentist every six months. Find out if your insurance premiums over a year will cost more than just paying out of pocket for two check-ups a year.
Start Saving for Braces Now
Many children have crooked teeth. It’s much easier to correct crooked teeth in children than in adults because the skull and jawbone are not fully grown in kids. More adults than ever are getting braces because their parents could not afford to get braces for them when they were kids. The American Orthodontist Association estimates that four million Americans wear braces.
However, they cost thousands of dollars. The time to start saving is now. Did you know that braces should be considered to be put on children at age 7 in order to work best? Just putting a few dollars aside a week helps cushion the blow of buying braces. If you are lucky and your child does not need braces, then the saved money can be used for college or perhaps dental school.
Preventative Care
The best way to save on dental expenses is never having bad teeth in the first place. You should ideally brush your teeth after every meal and floss once a day. Use oral rinses or antibacterial mouthwash. This not only freshens your breath but kills bacteria that cause plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
Lifestyle changes also help keep your smile stay healthy and strong. Smoking is as bad for your teeth as for the rest of your body. Skip soda or fruit juice and opt for water. Cut back on alcohol because it has surprisingly high sugar content. Choose sugarless options for snacks and drinks when possible.
Cut dental care costs by looking for low-cost or free dental services, getting dental insurance, saving for braces now, and going to twice-yearly check-ups. Do lifestyle changes, such as cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, flossing every day, and quitting smoking.
