Looking to Save Some Money? See Your Dentist!

Regular dental visits are a necessary step to keep your smile healthy. However, many people put off their appointments for a variety of different reasons. For patients who don’t have dental insurance, it’s often an effort to save a bit of money. However, the truth is that you can actually end up saving money in the long run by seeing your dentist. Read on to learn all the different ways that your regular dental visits can protect your bank account.

Prevent Tooth Decay

Even if you’re on top of daily brushing and flossing, there will always be places that you can’t help but skip over. This is where your regular dental visits come into play. During your visit, your hygienist will clear away buildups of plaque and tartar that could lead to decay in the future. Your dentist will keep an eye out for existing dental issues so they can be treated before becoming more serious. For example, by opting for a small filling now, you can avoid the cost and hassle of having root canal therapy or an extraction later on.

Ward Off Periodontal Disease

When you have your regular checkups, your dentist will examine your smile for early signs of periodontal disease (also known as gum disease). This condition is very common, with half of Americans over the age of 30 suffering from it at one severity or another. The good news is that it’s easy to prevent and can be reversed in its early stages. However, when left untreated, periodontal disease has been linked to life-threatening medical issues, like hearth disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. By addressing gum disease with your dentist now and working towards a solution, you can save by avoiding pricy gum disease treatments and restorations going forward.

Reduce Discoloration

Near the end of your regular visits, your hygienist will polish your teeth using a gritty material known as prophylaxis paste. This helps to break apart surface stains that can be caused by smoking, drinking coffee, and aging. When you have this done regularly, you are less likely to feel the need to invest in cosmetic treatments to reverse discoloration in the future.

Detect Oral Cancer

Your dentist checks for early signs of this deadly disease at the start of all of your checkups. When it is picked up early, it can often be easily treated, and patients will make a full recovery. However, oral cancer progresses very quickly, so a single missed dental visit can mean the need for intensive chemotherapy and other invasive, costly treatments. By seeing your dentist, you can save money and even your life!

No one wants to end up with big surprise bills. Schedule your next dental checkup. Your smile and wallet will be thanking you!

About the Author

Dr. George T. Philip earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and is committed to continuing education to keep his knowledge and skills sharp. Currently. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, and SPEAR. His practice participates with the majority of PPO Dental Providers and offers flexible financing options. For more information or to schedule a checkup at his office in Sunnyvale, visit his website or call (972) 285-6144.