Neglecting routine visits to the dentist generates more harm than you realize. Many people think that if they’re not having oral health trouble, they don’t need to see the dentist. But a big part of keeping your teeth healthy now, as well as in the future, depends on good, consistent preventative care.
Cost is a major contributing force in people’s inclination to shun regular dental visits. Around 13 percent of working-age adults reported forgoing dental care because of cost.
However, avoiding checkups at least once a year, (preferably every six months), can significantly upset your finances in the long run.
Getting a cavity filled, treating gum disease, or fixing a missing or broken tooth can definitely get expensive, especially if you don’t have dental insurance. But preventative care goes a long way in preventing these issues, among many others, which saves more money in the end.
Some people avoid visits to the dentist because of dental phobias. But studies show that people who skip dental care because of fear or anxiety have poorer oral health and an increased risk for cavities and missing teeth. Dental anxiety or phobia is treatable, and many dentists offer sedation options to help patients comfort levels.
Most of the conditions that result from lack of good oral care end up requiring several treatments to fix, such as gum disease or missing teeth. Not only will this amplify anxiety, but it also ends up costing you more time and money.
Without regular checkups, there’s a good chance you have developed cavities or other concerns that you don’t even know about yet. Statistics show that 18 percent of children and 26 percent of adults have untreated cavities, and it’s estimated that over 47 percent of U.S. adults have untreated gum disease.
Unfortunately, dental problems don’t heal on their own and will only get worse over time. A small cavity can grow and spread, while minor gum irritation can turn into full-blown periodontitis, which can destroy tissues and bones.Every time a dental problem advances in severity, the treatments become more complex, time-consuming and expensive. Implants, dentures and other custom-created materials can also drive up the cost. Some dental procedures require the help of a dental specialist such as a periodontist or an oral surgeon.
A discount dental plan with American Dental Group, (ADG), is a membership that helps members save up to 58 percent on dental visits. In addition, ADG includes coverage for cosmetic procedures such as whitening treatments, which are typically not covered by traditional insurance.
With ADG’s membership plan there are no annual maximums or deductibles, and we have a large network of independent, hometown dentists to choose from.
For more information call 1-800-633-3010
