Maintaining healthy teeth can be quite an expensive task, and it only gets more costly when you also have to take care of your family’s oral care needs. Here are a few tips for ensuring your family and wallet are all smiles!

Saving on Dental Care

It might seem that the most expensive part of complete oral hygiene is going to the dentist — so not going may appear to be a good way to save money. However, experts say that preventative care, such as brushing and flossing, and regular trips to the dentist may actually save you money in the long run. In fact, according to the Coalition on Oral Health, every dollar invested in preventive oral health care saves between $8 to $50 in restorative care.

For example, having a protective shield, such as a dental sealant placed (especially on kids) is a great way to prevent 60% of decay at one-third the cost of filling a cavity.

However, even if you find yourself in need of expensive dental care, there are a few money saving options available to you.

Money Saving Dental Care Options

1. Find out how much your dentist charges for the services you tend to use (and a few you might need in the future) and analyze your dental insurance plan to see if it is actually saving you money. For certain households, paying out of pocket may actually be cheaper.

2. Ask your dentist if they offer a discount for paying with cash, or any other discounts such as military discounts.

3. Look around for your nearest dental school and see if they are accepting patients. Most services are cheaper, some are free, and some might even pay YOU. The same applies for participating in clinical trials. This option is not as helpful for large families, but is still worth looking into if there are one or two cavities to be filled in your household.

4. If insurance is not available to you and your family, look into a dental discount plan or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.

5. If your ability to pay is a major concern, there are low-cost and sliding cost clinics, as well as charities that might be able to help. Check your state dental association website, The Dental Lifeline Network, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Charitable Foundation or your local United Way for more information about these options.

Preventing Costly Dental Procedures

Brushing twice a day for two minutes a day, flossing, and taking regular trips to the dentist can help identify small and relatively affordable issues before they become a much costlier issue, such as a root canal or periodontitis. Remember to switch your toothbrush out every three to four months or sooner if it becomes frayed. Shyn offers a subscription service that takes the remembering out of the equation, so you can always be sure you have the best bristles for an optimal clean.

Did this article teach you some new tips? Consider sharing it with a friend or family member, to pass along the word about saving on dental care.