Looking for more chances to save on your healthcare bills? One of the best ways to keep your medical and dental costs down is to make your teeth and gum health a high priority! Use these five reasons your oral health needs should not be postponed to find more savings in terms of time and money while feeling better about your smile.
Dramatically Reduce Dental Fees
Preventative care such as proper brushing, flossing, and routine visits to the dentist are your best methods for keeping your dental costs low throughout your life. Although skipping your wellness appointments with your dentist may not seem like a big deal, your dental team is in the business of preventive care to save you time, money, and discomfort in the long run. The ultimate goal of your routine care exam is to detect and repair any minor damage so that it does not become a larger problem. In other words, the earlier oral health concerns are detected the less expensive they will be to treat and the better chances you have of enjoying a healthier happier smile throughout your lifetime. Some examples of factors that could have a lasting impact on your teeth and gums are:
- Stress
- Hormone changes
- Aging-related changes
- Certain medications
- Poor hygiene habits
- Poor diet
- Clenching or grinding your teeth
- Specific health conditions
- Mouth-related injuries
Good Oral Health can Lower Overall Medical Costs
In addition to avoiding more expensive fees incurred from waiting to repair any growing oral health concerns, did you know your dentist is often times the first medical professional to detect a number of diseases found in other parts of the body? There are many medical conditions that produce visible signs in the mouth before showing up in other parts of the body. These diseases can be serious and become very expensive to treat the longer they go undetected. Such conditions include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Eating disorders
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- HIV/AIDS
- Head and neck cancers
Reduces Pain or Discomfort
Financial considerations also extend to medications and methods used to minimize the painful effects of damage to your teeth and gums. By caring for your teeth and gums with proper daily hygiene habits, eating well, keeping your recommended dental appointments, and acting on your dentist’s advice for small elective procedures, you are also limiting any pain or discomfort you would feel from eroding untreated damage. Unfortunately, those seemingly tiny repairs can turn into something more extensive and painful. Visits to your dentist plus following any discussed preventative or restorative treatment plans can help ensure your oral health remains in tip-top shape leaving more time to focus on doing what you love pain-free!
Required Before Major Medical Procedure
In addition to reducing your medical costs and your chances of feeling any significant discomfort, a healthy smile is also required before any major medical procedure. Whether you are in need of a hip replacement or a by-pass, your surgeon will first check with your dentist to be sure there is no detected bacterial infection. This is because nearly 50% of adults have some level of periodontal disease and that bacteria in the mouth could travel and cause further infection in the injured area during or following your surgical procedure. Therefore, by maintaining optimal oral health standards of care, you can feel confident you will be cleared for any necessary or elective surgeries in the future without having to pay in terms of both time and money for additional dental care procedures first.
Temporary Repairs are not Designed to Last
Another common mistake that can be costly financially is pushing off final repairs. For instance, if you have a temporary crown in place, it is not meant to be a long-term repair. Without a proper seal, bacteria and plaque can cause irritation and decay or even infection that will require additional reparation. Thus, seek out higher quality care over lower upfront costs to find the treatment that works best for your health and long-term budget. Then, be sure to complete any dental treatment plan for repairs to help restore your oral health while saving big on additional repair costs!
Ready to make your next dental appointment? Learn more about ways to save on your dental care needs by calling (828) 322-2133 or filling out our online contact form and requesting your FREE dental consultation with Dr. Powell or Dr. Hanigofsky. After all, your smile and your health are worth protecting!
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