Taking care of your teeth is important no matter your age. However, dental work can become very expensive, especially for major procedures like root canals, crowns, bridges and implants. With some preventative care and smart choices, you can maintain healthy teeth and gums while saving money. This article will provide tips for keeping dental costs down for kids, adults and the elderly.
Proper Brushing and Flossing
The foundation of good oral health is proper daily brushing and flossing. While the techniques may vary slightly by age, the principles are the same. Brushing removes plaque buildup and food debris, while flossing cleans between teeth and around the gumline where cavities often start. Getting into a habit of diligent brushing and flossing can avoid expensive fillings and other dental work over time.
For kids, aim to help them brush thoroughly twice a day using a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss once daily, usually before bedtime. Teach kids proper techniques, having them brush in gentle circular motions to clean visible top and side tooth surfaces, while positioning the brush at a 45 degree angle to clean areas between teeth. Assist younger kids until they acquire suitable skills.
Adults should continue brushing twice a day with regular flossing. Those over 50 or with dexterity issues may find electric toothbrushes easier for plaque removal. Additionally, floss threaders, small brushes and oral irrigators can help clean between teeth and around dental work like bridges. Taking little steps for self-care makes a big difference long term.
Many elderly have trouble brushing and flossing adequately due to conditions like arthritis. Switching to toothbrushes with larger, softer grips assists. Flossing alternatives include disposable flosser picks. Caregivers should help check for plaque buildup and signs of tooth decay regularly. Keeping oral hygiene up prevents tooth loss and related health issues.
Fluoride Usage Protects Teeth
Fluoride makes tooth enamel more resilient and cavity-resistant. Both kids and adults benefit from daily fluoride exposure through toothpaste, mouth rinses and fluoridated community water. These simple measures strengthen tooth mineralization and offset more expensive dental repair later on.
The American Dental Association recommends only a small smear of fluoride toothpaste for kids under age 3 to prevent accidentally swallowing too much. Kids 3-6 years can use a pea-sized amount. Brushing should be supervised to age 8 to monitor proper rinsing and swallowing after brushing. Fluoride varnishes applied periodically at dental visits add preventative action too.
Adults can use regular fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses daily according to product guidelines for continued protection. Rinsing with water post-brushing avoids swallowing excess paste. The CDC named community water fluoridation one of the top public health achievements. Drinking optimally fluoridated water prevents cavities safely regardless of age or socioeconomic status.
Get Dental Sealants Applied
Dental sealants provide a protective shield over the chewing surfaces of back teeth that stops bacteria and food debris from getting trapped inside grooves and pits. 80% of dental decay occurs in the intricate anatomy of molars. Sealants spread fluid plastic resin into these crevices which quickly hardens and seals vulnerable areas.
Children should get sealants placed as soon as adult molars erupt, around ages 6 to 7, and then again between 11 to 14 when wisdom teeth come in. The application procedure only takes minutes and causes minimal discomfort. Medicaid and many dental insurance policies help cover sealants for kids and teens. This small investment prevents widespread decay and far greater drilling/filling costs down the road. It can reduce the risk of cavities by nearly 80% in susceptible teeth.
Some dentists recommend sealants for adults as well if pit and fissure decay is present or likely in molars. The protection can help halt existing decay progression too since bacteria are enclosed inside. While adults’ teeth erupt fully, they benefit lifelong from sealants too. The low hassle and expense makes dental sealants a easy proactive choice.
Compare Dental Insurance Plans
Taking time to understand and compare dental insurance options leads to significant cost savings on both preventative and restorative services. Whether choosing workplace, private or government sponsored coverage, pay close attention to deductibles, premiums, co-insurance rates, and yearly maximum benefits permitted.
More affordable plans usually have higher yearly deductibles requiring out-of-pocket payment for basic services like oral exams and x-rays before insurance contributions kick in. They also limit yearly maximum payouts which get exhausted faster with extensive treatment plans. Weigh the total costs with potential discount levels the plan provides. Lower premium plans make sense for healthy young adults without extensive dental needs.
Additional factors like coinsurance percentages, frequencies of allowable specific treatments, size of provider networks and inclusion of orthodontia determine out-of-pocket costs over time as well. Seek plans with the highest coinsurance on basic services, twice yearly hygiene visits, broad provider networks and adult ortho if wanted. Shopping wisely leads to the optimal dental benefits package.
Consider DIY Options
Numerous over-the-counter products allow minor dental care at home cost effectively. These solutions provide temporary pain relief or protect damaged teeth affordably while arranging professional appointments. Wise use keeps little problems from ballooning into major expenses.
For instance, fluoride rinses, sensitive toothpastes and plastic temporary filling kits available at pharmacies can briefly help sensitive, cracked or chipped teeth for eating and sleeping until dentist visits. Oral numbing gels offer mild pain relief from cavities and braces irritation. Teeth whiteners effectively brighten stains between professional whitening treatments.
Additionally, cold compresses minimize swelling from dental infections before antibiotics or drainage. Soft foods diets prevent cracking damaged teeth when chewing. Rinsing carefully with salt water soothes sore gums and tooth extractions sites. With some clever first aid, patients control discomforts and costs while organizing thorough repairs.
Eat Smart to Prevent Decay
A healthy diet low in sugary and acidic foods and beverages prevents tooth decay and erosions which destroy enamel over time.what kids and adults choose to eat and drink daily impacts oral health significantly. Rethinking dietary choices saves money otherwise spent on cavity repairs down the road along with protecting tooth longevity.
Avoid frequent exposure to sweet and acidic foods which interact to erode and penetrate enamel more severely than either one alone. Soda, lemonade, sugary cereal, candy, citrus and tomato sauce are examples of problematic choices. Additionally, sticky foods like dried fruit, granola bars and peanut butter cling to dental crevices feeding decay-causing bacteria. Considering healthier options without these tooth hazards adds up to big rewards.
Smart choices include cheese, nuts, vegetables, meat, plain yogurt and milk which stimulate saliva production to remineralize early decay. Sugarless gum increases saliva too while freshening breath. Limit sugary foods to mealtimes only allowing saliva flow to dissipate acids. Drinking water or milk between meals or sugary snacks further reduces damage. Paying attention to dietary influences makes excellent preventative sense.
Opt for Store Brand Savings
Selecting store brand over name brand for oral health products offers an easy avenue for dental savings. Store brands provide comparable ingredients and performance for household basics like toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss and replacement brush heads typically at savings of 20-40 percent less. Simply check labels and product descriptions to ensure similar offerings at lower expense.
Most pharmacies now produce their own brands of cavity protection fluoride toothpaste guaranteed to safely clean, freshen breath, strengthen enamel and prevent decay similar to leading brands.often formulated by major companies too. Likewise store brand mint or cinnamon flosses reduce pricing on keeping tight tooth contacts fresh and clean.
Overall opting for store brand delivers equal value oral care staples without overpaying for expensive marketing and fancy packaging. Extending savings to household oral health purchases optimizes preventative care budgets in the long run. Protect those pearly whites on the cheap so money stays in your pockets.
Utilize Dental Schools
Local dental schools connected to universities and technical colleges offer significantly reduced cost cleanings, x-rays, fillings and other routine care performed by students and supervised by licensed dentists. These facilities provide the public affordable preventative and restorative services while training the next generation of dental professionals.
The cost savings over private practices depends upon the client’s eligibility and treatment complexity ranging from 20% to 70% decreases. For instance, basic cleanings and examinations might run $30 while complex root canals with crown placement cost $300 on average. Payment plans or dental insurance can assist with larger treatment plans.
While lengthy appointments are common in teaching environments, the quality of care meets professional standards. All students undergo proficiency testing before clinical experiences. Senior students possess considerable expertise and refinement. Supporting affordable community-based dental education provides society promising new dentists.
The Takeaway
Maintaining excellent lifetime oral health without overspending is quite achievable by adapting smart prevention strategies and spending habits around dental care. Small daily measures like brushing properly plus long term choices of avoiding sugary foods and selecting cost-effective dental insurance add up tremendously. Financial savings mean more money for other essential expenses while healthy teeth provide proper nutrition, self-confidence and reduced disease. Protect those precious pearly whites starting today!
