Boise Dentist Blog
The professional blog of Doctors Dan Bruce, Steve Bruce, Rosa Pothier and Rob Ririe
Reducing Dental Costs
Five Ways to Reduce Dental Costs
Receiving regular dental care is important to maintaining your oral and overall health. However, many people avoid visiting the dentist as often as they should because of money. This is often counterproductive because preventive dental treatment can actually reduce healthcare costs in the long run.
If you want to help keep your dental costs to a minimum and improve your dental health, follow these five tips:
1. Practice good oral hygiene
Daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing can help prevent cavities and periodontal disease. Avoiding sticky, sugary foods and using xylitol gum or mints can also help keep cavities at bay.
2. Avoid using tobacco
As most people know, smoking and using chewing tobacco causes serious oral health problems. According to The American Dental Hygienists Association, smokers have up to a six times greater risk of developing periodontal disease compared to nonsmokers. Using tobacco products can also lead to stained teeth, gum recession, and tooth loss.
3. Don’t delay going to the dentist
Routine dental cleanings and exams can help prevent some oral maladies from occurring and also allow your dentist to detect problems before they become serious. For instance, diagnosing and treating a cavity while it is small is much less invasive, painful, and costly than letting the cavity grow and eventually needing a root canal and crown or extraction.
4. Consider sealants
Sealants provide a thin, protective coating to the chewing surface of the back teeth. They are most commonly applied on children once they start getting their permanent teeth, but can also be used on adults who have a high caries risk. While it is still necessary to practice good oral hygiene, the American Dental Association states that sealants help reduce the risk of decay in molars by 80%.
5. Prevent serious health risks
While many people tend to separate oral health from overall health, your teeth and mouth are connected to the rest of your body and poor oral health can impact your overall health. Research has shown that periodontal disease is linked to several serious health issues such as heart disease and stroke. Poor oral health can also impact your self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
Source: Herald and News